SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is joining with government partners, NGOs and private industry to celebrate the inaugural California Soils Week, scheduled to correspond with World Soils Day on December 5, 2017 but also including events in northern and southern California from December 4 to December 7.

The week's theme is “Healthy Soils, Healthy Lives,” in recognition of the fact that California's soils help feed the world, conserve water, improve air quality, and fight climate change.

“California Soils Week will highlight all the remarkable gifts healthy soils have to offer,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.  “We hope that by telling the story of California soil we can help Californians better understand how vital it truly is.”

The events for California Soils Week are as follows:

Monday, December 4 (Kickoff Day) – Viewing Healthy Soils information panels at State Capitol; 10 am, outside of governor's office.

Tuesday, December 5 (World Soils Day) – International webinar on climate smart agriculture to discuss the barriers, strategies and success stories related to soil health; 9 am – 11 am. Join athttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5217479928986888962

Legislative briefing on Healthy Soils at State Capitol, room 317, 3 pm.

Wednesday, December 6 (Food Waste and Compost Day) – Soil drop/compost education outreach to legislature, State Capitol, 9 am – 10:30 am.

Compost and farm tour for legislative staff – 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Jepson Prarie Organics, Vacaville, CA (Media contact – Robert Reed, 415-606-9183); Sierra Orchards, Winters, CA.

Thursday, December 7 (Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens Day) – Urban Farm Tour, 11 am, GrowGood Farms, 5600 Mansfield Wy. Bell, CA.

Sacramento Food Policy Council meeting – 5:30 pm, Hot Italian, 1627 16th St. Sacramento, CA 95814 (Media contact – Beth Smoker, 916-834-4710, estorelli3@gmail.com)

Note – Social media postings for the week will be identified with #CASoilsWeek, #Healthy, #Soil.

–California Department of Food and Agriculture