Vision for ag's future outlined

A two-year statewide process to come up with a vision to preserve the state’s No. 1 industry — agriculture — resulted in a report that outlines 12 key strategies.

Over the last two years, the California State Board of Food and Agriculture has been working on the California Agricultural Vision (Ag Vision) — a process to result in a strategic plan for the future of the state’s agriculture and food system. The motivation was the rapidly growing list of challenges facing agriculture, from regulations and water supplies to urbanization and climate change.

As part of the process, several “listening sessions” were held around the state, with the largest turnout for the Tulare County session in July of 2008.

The report “California Agriculural Vision: Strategies for Sustainability” was released in Sacramento earlier this month with little notice, but did get the attention of Governor-elect Jerry Brown.

The 12 strategies listed include: Improve access to safe, healthy food for all Californians; ease the burden of regulation on agriculture while maintaining health, safety and environmental standards; secure an adequate supply of water for agricultural purposes; effectively detect, exclude and control invasive species; adopt a policy of conserving agricultural land and water resources; expand environmental stewardship on farms and ranches; promote renewable energy and substitutes for fossil-based inputs; assure agricultural adaptation to climate change; promote robust regional markets for all California producers; ; assure a strong labor force through fairness to agricultural workers and employers;cultivate the next generation of farmers and ranchers; and promote agricultural research that anticipates 21st century challenges.

“Tulare County Farm Bureau and Farm Bureaus up and down the state are all very pleased to see such a strategic and forward-thinking document come out of the state Department of Agriculture,” said Tulare County Farm Bureau Executive Director Patricia Stever-Blattler.

The state farm bureau was very involved in drafting the document.

At the public session in Tulare in July of 2008, many people address issues they all feel are threatening agriculture and the farming way of life. More than 40 people turned out for that session at the International Agri-Center.

State Director of Agricultural A.G. Kawamura pointed out at that meeting that he goal was to formulate a statewide plan to preserve agriculture. He called preserving a sustainable food supply a national security issue.

“To keep pace with growing demand for food, as the world’s population expands to nine billion people, California agriculture must remain profitable and competitive in a global market by efficiently using resources and controlling production costs” stated the CDFA in a release earlier thsi month.

Marilyn Kinoshita, Tulare County ag commissioner, said No. 1 should be securing an adequate water supply for farming.

“That’s absolutely a must,”said Kinoshita, who was not aware the report had been released.

After reviewing the report, she agreed another area that needs to be addressed is easing the burden of regulation. “That would be a wonderful thing for our growers,” she said, noting that California farmers are the most regulated in the nation. “Growers and dairymen are being pulled in many different directions,” she said.

Stever said farmers are facing many “difficult challenges” and anything the state can do to help would be welcomed.

“We are certainly very pleased to see the state get involved,” she said. “Now, it’s important to make sure the report and strategies just don’t collect dust on a shelf somewhere.”

Kinoshita agreed.

“Is there a political will,” she asked noting a new administration is taking over. “That remains to be seen after January. I hope there is.”

“Certainly, producers from California of every size are facing challenges with water, soil, workers, pesticides, air, politicians...it is a mixed bag and pretty big,” Brown said, adding that, as he works on solving state budget problems, “I think California is in for some good times after a certain period of difficult times.”

A key to the process, noted Kioshita, is to keep farming going for generations to come.

“If you can’t pass on or inherit property, a young person will have a hard time purchasing anything,” said Kioshita.

CDFA said the dozen strategies are to be implemented by 24 specific actions, some to be taken immediately, others over the longer‐term after further refinement.

The strategies and actions are not intended to supplant other efforts being made to address the same issues, but rather as a framework for helping to organize and coordinate them. The strategies that the Advisory Committee deems to be of the highest priority are assuring better access to food for all Californians; easing the burden of regulation on agriculture while maintaining health, safety and environmental standards; and assuring an adequate water supply for agriculture.

In 2008, the value of California agricultural products exceeded $36 billion – one‐eighth of total U.S. output. Agricultural is more than a $4 billion industry in Tulare County, the second most productive ag county in the nation.

California Farm Bureau Federation contributed to this story.