SACRAMENTO – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear water and climate updates from federal and state officials as well as discuss sustainable pest management at its meeting on Tuesday, April 6.

The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. via GoToWebinar. The webinar ID is 852-164-859.

USDA’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Climate Advisor Robert Bonnie is scheduled to provide an update on USDA’s climate agenda and California Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth will update the Board on the current water situation.

“California’s farmers and ranchers continue to make on-farm decisions that help to conserve water, sustainably deal with pest challenges and promote a healthy environment ” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “As we look forward to the next Decade of Ag – California is well positioned to not only succeed in addressing the challenges ahead, but to also be a leader that helps set the foundation for others.”

A presentation by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance will also be featured focusing on the Decade of Ag.

Invited speakers include: Director Karla Nemeth, California Department of Water Resources; Robert Bonnie, USDA’s Climate Advisor; Erin Fitzgerald, U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance; Amrith Gunasekara, CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation; Mark McLoughlin and Andrew Cline, CDFA’s Plant Heath and Pest Prevention Services; Pam Marrone, Primary BioAg Innovations and Global BioAg Linkages; Paul Walgenbach, Bayer US Crop Science and other invited speakers.

“California agriculture will again experience limited water supplies this year as a result of ongoing dry conditions,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “As a farmer this is challenging and it is something that not only impacts the farm but local communities, families and businesses. I’m encouraged the State is taking early action and look forward to continued collaboration as the water year progresses.”

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials; agricultural representatives; and citizens to discuss current issues and concerns to California agriculture.

This meeting will have simultaneous audio translation in Spanish and can be accessed at 844-460-0074 at the start of the meeting.

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