Agriculture impacts every California resident; everyone who lives in the state is a stakeholder in the industry that in so many ways, defines our state's character, and what our future holds. Now there is an opportunity for every resident to share their vision of California agriculture. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) invites every Californian to join CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura and members of the CDFA board at public listening sessions to "develop a more productive, competitive and innovative agricultural sector by 2030." Listening sessions will be held all over the state between May 29th and July 8th.
A session will be held in Ventura County, in Oxnard, on July 7th. Stakeholders (and that means YOU) are invited, in five minutes or less, to address four questions posed by the CDFA. To participate, you must RSVP to AgVision@cdfa.ca.gov and indicate whether you are listening or speaking. If speaking, you are asked to send an email summary of your comments, so that they may be accurately captured and included in the visioning process.
What I will be sharing with Secretary Kawamura and the CDFA Board is my vision: that the success of agriculture in California is of the utmost importance to our state, to the nation, and to the world, now and in the future. Agriculture must be sustained, and Californians of all ages and walks need to understand how important a successful and sustainable food system is to our individual and collective futures.
A key to sustaining and supporting agriculture is educating the public – and particularly youth – about its importance, how it works, what the issues are and likely will be. To accomplish this monumental task (and it is monumental: California has more than 6 million youth enrolled in its public schools, alone) will require a concerted effort of agricultural, educational, private organizations and individuals converging to offer a massive school-based and public education/outreach effort. Part of any educational and outreach effort should incorporate gardening.
Why gardening? Gardening provides an excellent way for youth to understand the basics of plant cultivation, and our food system. Research indicates that youth who garden tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, which has positive implications for public health AND for those that produce fruits and vegetables. Research also indicates that gardening programs in schools may lead to improved academic performance and greater achievement in science, things which benefit all of us. Gardening is agriculture writ small in physical terms, but agriculture writ large in our hearts.
California agriculture in 2030? Every Californian understands it, values it, and works to sustain the best aspects of it. Thousands of young people are entering the field with innovative ideas and energy, in part because they were introduced to agriculture and gardening during their public school education. Californians have a much lower incidence of preventable chronic diseases such as Type II diabetes, because our increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical activity is making all of us healthier. My “must have” for California agriculture? Universal food systems education that provides essential information about how agriculture in California works and which provides hands-on gardening experiences for every student in California public schools.
That’s my vision. What’s yours? Consider these four questions, contact the CDFA, and commit to being there.
- What is your vision for California agriculture by 2030?
- What will be the biggest challenge in achieving that vision?
- In 2030, how has public perception of agriculture changed?
- What is a “must have” in an Ag Vision for California?
“A Garden for Everyone. Everyone in a Garden.”
