Cap-and-Trade Program Topic of Meeting

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California Department of Food and AgricultureThe California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear about a new University of California initiative concerning food, and focus on the state’s Cap-and-Trade Program and other environmental market opportunities for farmers and ranchers at its meeting on Tuesday, July 1st in Sacramento. This meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 ‘N’ Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814.

UC President Janet Napolitano will provide an overview of a new initiative in collaboration with the university’s 10 campuses, three national laboratories, and UC’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The initiative will address issues related to hunger and nutrition, both in California and around the world.

The Cap-and-Trade discussion will focus on California as a national leader in taking preventative measures to help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

“Farming is a multi-beneficial endeavor,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Not only are farmers providing food to local and global markets, they are also providing on-farm benefits that enhance our environment and help mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

California’s Cap-and-Trade Program was initiated by Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. AB 32 requires California to return to 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. This will be achieved through a 15 percent reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions. The Cap-and-Trade Program is the primary strategy in reducing greenhouse gas emission in the state.

Invited speakers on the topic include: Chairman Mary Nichols, California Air Resources Board; Robert Parkhurst, Environmental Defense Fund; Paul Buttner, California Rice Commission; Sandra Schubert, California Department of Food and Agriculture; Neil Black, California Bionenergy; Megha Lakhchaura, California Public Utilities Commission; Jeremy Sokulsky, Environmental Incentives, LLC; Bobby Cochran, Willamette Partnership; and Valerie Minton, Sonoma County Resource Conservation District.

“How we develop an expanded role for farmers and ranchers in addressing climate change is critical for California agriculture,” said Craig McNamara, president of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “The commitment to sustainability and land stewardship that farmers continuously demonstrate aligns with the strategies that environmental markets aim to achieve.”

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 representative and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

This meeting will be streamed online at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/LiveMediaStream.html

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