BILL NUMBER: AB 2923	CHAPTERED  09/03/02

	CHAPTER  348
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 3, 2002
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 31, 2002
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 15, 2002
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 8, 2002
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 27, 2002
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 5, 2002
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 20, 2002
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 15, 2002
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 1, 2002

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Pescetti

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2002

   An act to add Part 4 (commencing with Section 1500) to Division 1
of the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to California Agriculture
Day.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2923, Pescetti.  California Agriculture Day.
   Existing law does not designate a particular day as California
Agriculture Day.
   This bill would designate the first day of spring in each year as
California Agriculture Day.
   This bill would also encourage a public school, on either the
first day of spring or another day determined by the school, to
provide education that instructs students on the history and
importance of agriculture in California.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Agriculture has played a significant role in the history of
California and continues to greatly influence the future of
California.
   (b) California agriculture supports 1.1 million jobs, nearly 8
percent of all jobs in the state.
   (c) California is by far the largest agricultural state in both
production and export.
   (d) California agriculture is a $27.2 billion industry that
produces more than 350 crop and livestock commodities.  This
abundance generates more than $100 billion in related economic
activity for the state and has a tremendous positive effect on
individual households.
   (e) California provides more than half of the nation's fruits,
nuts, and vegetables.
  SEC. 2.  Part 4 (commencing with Section 1500) is added to Division
1 of the Food and Agricultural Code, to read:

      PART 4.  CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE DAY

   1500.  The first day of spring in each year is hereby designated
as California Agriculture Day.
   1501.  Notwithstanding the Education Code, including, but not
limited to, provisions relating to curriculum requirements, on the
first day of spring or on another day determined by public schools
throughout the state, these schools  are encouraged to provide
education that instructs students on the history and importance of
agriculture in California.  This instruction may include education on
agricultural history, nutrition, economics, or the planting of a
school garden ; or the use of any educational device that
commemorates agriculture's importance in California.