SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis), chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Sustainable and Organic Agriculture, and Assemblymember Marc Levine (D- San Rafael), chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Agriculture and the Environment, will hold a joint informational hearing focusing on how California agriculture can help the state meet AB 32 goals.

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2013 beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the State Capitol, room 126.

“California’s agricultural land is one of our most valuable resources,” said Assemblymember Yamada. “This hearing will explore how agriculture can help achieve carbon sequestration and cap-and-trade goals.”

The hearing will consist of panels of experts that will present information on the carbon impacts of developing farmland for non-agricultural uses and reducing carbon emissions on existing farms.

Panelists will include Dr. Louise Jackson, professor and researcher at UC Davis; John Gamper, land use specialist for the California Farm Bureau; and Jeanne Merrill, policy director for the California Climate and Agriculture Network.

“It is important that we consider the value that farming and farmland has for achieving our AB 32 objectives,” Levine added “This hearing will provide insights on greenhouse gas reduction and the role that farmland preservation and best practices can play.”

The Department of Finance in conjunction with the California Air Resources Board is responsible for developing the first three year cap-and-trade investment plans to meet the objectives of the state’s climate change law, AB 32.

The recently released draft investment plan includes recommendations for funding agricultural solutions to greenhouse gas emission reductions and carbon sequestration, including farmland conservation, agriculture energy use efficiency and renewable energy.

The final plan is due with the May revision of the governor’s budget.

For more information on the Select Committee on Sustainable and Organic Agriculture, please contact Assemblymember Yamada’s Capitol Office at 916-319-2004.