[Filed with Secretary of State April 29, 2016.]
ACR 147, Dodd. California Agriculture Day.
This measure would recognize and honor the men and women of California agriculture for their dedication and productivity by observing March 15, 2016, as National Agriculture Day, and designating March 16, 2016, as California Agriculture Day.
WHEREAS, March 16, 2016, is designated as California Agriculture Day, a day of celebration to commemorate agriculture’s importance in our daily lives, its vital role in keeping Californians nourished, and its role in keeping the state’s economy ranked as the eighth largest in the world; and
WHEREAS, The 2016 theme of California Agriculture Day is “Golden State on Your Plate” in recognition of the diversity and significance of California agriculture; and
WHEREAS, For more than 60 consecutive years, California has been the number one agricultural state in the nation, producing more than 400 crop and livestock products and accounting for approximately 50 percent of the nation’s supply of fruits, vegetables, and nuts; and
WHEREAS, The inexhaustible efforts of millions of farmworkers have contributed greatly to the success of the industry; and
WHEREAS, California’s agricultural community relies on a vital infrastructure that aids in the exclusion and early detection of plant and animal pests and diseases that impact public health, the environment, and commerce; and
WHEREAS, With less than 1 percent of California’s population engaged in farming and agriculture, each agricultural worker today provides for more than 100 other people, compared to just 13 in 1947; and
WHEREAS, Today’s agricultural industry offers over 300 challenging and rewarding career opportunities, from on-farm cultivation to food science and engineering; and
WHEREAS, Over the past seven decades, advances in production of agriculture have resulted in a drop in consumer spending on food products from 22 percent of average household disposable income in 1949 to 11 percent today; and
WHEREAS, California is the nation’s leader in agricultural exports, shipping more than $21 billion of food and agricultural commodities around the world in 2014; and
WHEREAS, California’s agricultural industry constantly seeks to incorporate the latest scientific and technological production and marketing techniques to meet the demands of changing consumer needs and complex world markets; and
WHEREAS, Public-private partnerships are continually being developed to improve quality and ensure safe handling practices on the farm, in transit, and during processing; and
WHEREAS, California consumers say that it is important to them to purchase foods grown in California and California consumers say that “California grown” is more important to them today than it was in years past. In the last decade, California consumers have increased support of certified farmers’ markets, community supported agricultural programs, and farm-to-school programs; and
WHEREAS, A broad approach to agricultural education is vital to ensure that California agriculture continues to flourish; and
WHEREAS, California is estimated to lose 500,000 acres of agricultural land by 2050, more than 300,000 acres of which will have been highly productive irrigated cropland. Thus, California should continue to work for conservation to preserve California's agricultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, It is appropriate for all Californians to recognize our farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and others involved in providing such a bounty to our nation and the entire world; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes and honors the men and women of California agriculture for their dedication and productivity by observing March 15, 2016, as National Agriculture Day, and designating Wednesday, March 16, 2016, as California Agriculture Day; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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