The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the California State Board of Food and Agriculture are announcing a bold plan for the future: Ag Vision for the Next Decade.
Ag Vision centers on growing opportunity – for farmers and ranchers, farmworkers, individuals and communities – and demonstrating leadership on climate action. The plan will guide areas of focus for CDFA and serve as a catalyst for action. And it’s not just a plan for agriculture, but something to benefit every Californian.
Ag Vision was developed using a robust and inclusive process and focuses on five priority areas:
- Fostering climate-smart, resilient, and regenerative food systems —Support farmers and ranchers to be leaders on climate change and support efforts that improve agriculture’s impact on the environment. Also, encourage wise stewardship of water and natural resources, eliminate waste, and promote regenerative practices that enhance ecosystems and improve the land.
- Building healthy, local communities — Invest in local and socially disadvantaged communities – with emphasis on the diverse populations who often work at and with, and live adjacent to California farms – while supporting equity and the California economy through nutritious, California-grown farm products. From the need to provide access to clean drinking water to challenges related to housing and workforce development, agriculture is not only a good neighbor, but is taking a action on these issues.
- Driving next-generation talent and tools — Support workforce development programs aimed at attracting, supporting and providing high-quality jobs and leadership opportunities for a diverse agricultural workforce, while also driving research and real-time feedback from farmers and ranchers to stimulate and accelerate innovation to solve problems and build opportunities. Expand investment to meet current agricultural labor needs and opportunities for career advancement and upskill of the existing workforce.
- Enhancing understanding of agriculture — Support engagement with rural and urban audiences on the value of California agriculture. Capitalize on the scientific and agronomic expertise of the Department, collaborate with other agencies in the administration, and with farmers and ranchers to highlight community, sustainability and opportunities that working lands provide.
- Collaborating on smarter regulations — Work with other state agencies, stakeholders and the administration to explore and support smarter regulations that rethink ways to both meet public obligations and support farmers with simplified, less expensive regulatory compliance, reporting and implementation.
“Ag Vision is a plan for every Californian, from those who care about the land and landscape and making it better for the future, to those who work with or live around farming communities,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “It’s a plan for those curious about their food and health, as well as those who care about climate action, to foster more climate smart, resilient and restorative food systems. While the plan is intended to guide the actions of CDFA, we can’t do it alone. To bring Ag Vision to life we need private and public entities, community leaders, and diverse stakeholders to come together to advance the vision through collaboration, partnerships and action.”
Ag Vision was created with multiple inputs from a diverse set of agricultural stakeholders. One-on-one interviews were held with members of an Ag Vision task force representing the diversity of geographic regions and crops grown in California, and members of the State Board of Food and Agriculture. Seven virtual roundtable discussions occurred with various segments of California agriculture – from dairy and livestock farmers to berry growers and tree nut producers – along with processors and supply chain partners and historically underserved farmers.
“California is the fifth largest agricultural economy in the world and with that comes the responsibility to enable a framework where farmers, ranchers, farmworkers and communities can thrive,” said Jenet DeCosta, state board member and Ag Vision committee chair. “Through Ag Vision, the farming community will further its positive impact to make an even bigger difference to people in our communities, state and around the globe.”
NOTE: a webinar is scheduled for 1 pm tomorrow, April 6, to share more about Ag Vision. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84592921932
Passcode: CalAg2023!
To learn more about Ag Vision and the future of California agriculture, please visit https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/agvision/.
Watch this video about California agriculture and Ag Vision
Vea este video sobre la agricultura de California y Ag Vision