http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=12-010

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will address farm to school programs at its upcoming meeting on April 3rd in Sacramento. The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 ‘N’ Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Farm to school programs are a continuing trend in California and provide marketing opportunities for a wide array of farmers and ranchers within the state. However, a variety of challenges are involved in incorporating local farm products within school lunch programs. The state board meeting will focus on these issues, with presentations and discussion by a variety of leaders in the farm to school movement, including Alice Waters, chef, author and proprietor of Chez Panisse in Berkeley. Ms. Waters is an American pioneer of culinary philosophy that maintains cooking should be based on the finest and freshest seasonal ingredients, and she is founder of the Edible Schoolyard Project, which focuses on creating an “edible education” as part of core curriculum in schools.

“Alice Waters is passionate about improving access for all children to healthy school lunches,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Her vision and experience with the Edible Schoolyard Project, combined with the great work school districts are achieving in developing farm to school programs, is a positive step in connecting farmers to local communities.”

Additional speakers at the meeting will include: David Binkle, Los Angeles Unified School District; Rodney Taylor, Riverside Unified School District; Barbara Grimm, Grimmway Academy/The Edible Schoolyard at Buena Vista School; John Young; Yolo County Department of Agriculture; Sean Leer, Gold Star Foods; Robert Knight, Old Grove Orange; and Delaine Eastin, former California Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“School lunch programs are an opportunity for farmers and school children alike,” said President Craig McNamara, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “However, challenges exist in allowing local farm products to be included within school lunch programs and we need to identify opportunities and solutions to this issue.”

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.

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

A reminder – please join us for Ag Day today! The grounds on the west lawn of the State Capitol will open to the public at 11:30.

http://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17451

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments.

Gregory Ahern, 54, of Livermore, has been appointed to the California Lottery Commission. Ahern has been sheriff coroner for Alameda County since 2007, and has served in the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office since 1980. He served as assistant sheriff from 2006 to 2007, commander from 2005 to 2006, captain from 2003 to 2005, lieutenant from 2000 to 2003, sergeant from 1986 to 2000 and deputy sheriff from 1980 to 1986. Ahern is second vice president of the California State Sheriff’s Association. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ahern is a Republican.

Teveia Barnes, 58, of Tiburon, has been appointed commissioner of the California Department of Financial Institutions. Barnes has been a partner at Foley and Lardner LLP since 2005 and has been president and executive director at Lawyers For One America since 1999. She was executive director and general counsel at the Bar Association of San Francisco from 2001 to 2003. Barnes worked at the Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association from 1986 to 1999 in multiple positions, including associate general counsel and senior vice president. She serves on the boards of directors for the U.S. Bank Advisory Board of Northern California and On Lok, Inc. She earned a Juris Doctorate degree from New York University School of Law. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $142,965. Barnes is a Democrat.

Charles Boyer, 62, of Fresno, has been appointed to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. Boyer has been dean at California State University, Fresno since 2006. He was department head and associate dean at Oregon State University from 1993 to 2006, and a professor at Pennsylvania State University from 1981 to 1993. Boyer is a member of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences and the American Association of State Colleges of Agriculture and Renewable Resources. Boyer earned a doctorate in genetics at Pennsylvania State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Boyer is a Republican.

Nancy Casady, 69, of La Jolla, has been appointed to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. Casady has been the general manager of Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Co-Op since 1996. She was co-owner of Casady Whole Foods Market from 1988 to 1994. She served as vice president of the National Cooperative Grocers Association from 2006 to 2009 and was a member of the National Cooperative Development Board from 2009 to 2011. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Casady is a Democrat.

Mike Gallo, 61, of Merced, has been appointed to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. Gallo has been the co-owner of Joseph Gallo Farms since 1965. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Gallo is a Republican.