Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will visit California to announce new federal investments in California that will fund projects to conserve water, improve water management and create new supplies for agricultural irrigation.

Merrigan will then bring USDA’s college tour to Davis and San Luis Obispo where she will highlight USDA’s ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative and efforts to create new opportunities for farmers, ranchers, and communities by building local and regional food systems. Merrigan will also deliver remarks at the United Agribusiness League dinner and the Sustainable Foods Institute’s Cooking for Solutions 2011 conference where she will highlight USDA’s role in strengthening the agricultural economy and strategies for sustainability in agriculture.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

What: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan will visit the Brocchini Farm to announce new federal investments in California that will fund projects to conserve water, improve water management and create new supplies for agricultural irrigation.

Where: Brocchini Farm, 25527 Mohler Road, Ripon, Calif. 95366

What: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will speak to students, professors, and administrators about USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative at UC Davis. Merrigan will also join former USDA Deputy Secretary Rich Rominger for the presentation of the Eric Bradford & Charlie Rominger Agricultural Sustainability Leadership Award.

Where: UC Davis Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center, 1 Mrak Hall Dr., Davis, Calif., 95616

What: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will deliver remarks at the
United Agribusiness League dinner and highlight USDA’s role in strengthening
the agricultural economy and strategies for sustainability in agriculture.

Where: Balboa Bay Club – Foyer and Grand Ballroom C, 1221 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach, Calif. 92663

Thursday, May 19, 2011

What:  Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will speak to students, professors, and administrators about USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative at Cal Poly.

Where: Cal Poly, Chumash Auditorium, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, Calif. 93407

What: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will deliver remarks at the
Sustainable Foods Institute’s Cooking for Solutions 2011 conference and highlight USDA’s role in strengthening the agricultural economy and strategies for sustainability in agriculture.

Where: Monterey Bay Aquarium Auditorium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, Calif. 93940