The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will be discussing local drought impacts in communities as well as efforts to address safe drinking water during drought.

The board will also hear from state officials on the status of Groundwater Sustainability Plans related to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. via GoToWebinar.

“Water use efficiency on California’s farms and ranches has improved significantly, ” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Investments and on-farm innovations have resulted in more the 14% reduction in agricultural water use since 1980, while at the same time increasing food production by 38%. 

"Climate smart agricultural investments in water use efficiency are projected to save more than 37.5 billion gallons of water annually," she said. "With the impacts of climate change, farmers and ranchers are doing their part in helping to address drought conditions statewide.”

Invited speakers include: Sam Boland-Brien, State Water Resources Control Board; Jessi Snyder, Self Help Enterprises; Sargeant Green, California Water Institute; Emily Rooney, Agricultural Council of California; Craig Altare, California Department of Water Resources; Federico Barajas, San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority, Kristin Sicke, Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District; Pam Jeane, Sonoma Water and other invited speakers.

“Communities across the state are being impacted by the drought from Klamath, the Russian River and the Westside of the Central Valley,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “While this is a statewide drought, the impact on some communities is much more severe than others resulting in a diversity of challenges related to drinking water, the environment and local economies.

"The current state budget provides investments to help assist with the challenges and is a necessary step as we continue to experience another significant drought year,” he said.

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.

Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.