Posts Tagged: Vision

CDFA secretary discusses the future of California ag

The newly appointed California secretary of agriculture, Karen Ross, outlined her department's California Ag Vision 2030 during a presentation at Fresno State University Sunday. The Business Journal announced the event, but apparently no media outlets attended.

The event was part of Fresno State's 100 year anniversary celebration, which culminates with a Centennial Gala on May 14.

Two years in the making, the CDFA Ag Vision 2030 defines 12 strategies for California's agriculture and food sector. Ross said the Ag Vision is a collaborative effort that involved a diverse group of stakeholders who focused on what they could agree on, rather than fighting about what they can't.

"When you read this, you have to be optimistic about California agriculture," she said.

Ross took the helm at CDFA just as the department faces a $15 million reduction in general fund support this year, a $32 million cut for its fair system and another $15 million funding cut for next year.

Even in the face of these budget cuts, Ross said she is determined CDFA will continue to engage in new and positive programs. That challenge, Ross said, will take ingenuity. She invoked a famous admonition from Winston Churchill, which is also quoted in the Ag Vision 2030: "Gentlemen [and ladies], we have run out of money. Now we have to think."

During the Q&A session, CSUF soil scientist Sharon Benes expressed concern about UC Cooperative Extension, saying UCCE programs have "taken more than their share of the (budget) hit." She said UCCE has played a critical role in creating California's thriving agricultural industry and budget cuts are reducing intellectual capacity.

In responding, Ross said she is working with executives at UC and CSU to see where to fill in the gaps.

"We need to rethink regional deployment," Ross said. "We can't give up the specialists. But maybe you extend information in different ways. I always say, 'Extension is a verb, not a person.' Status quo is not an option anymore."

Karen Ross spoke at CSUF Sunday.

CSUF president John Welty introduced Karen Ross.

Farm bureau VP supports ANR restructuring plan

An article about ANR's restructuring plan in the California Farm Bureau Federation newspaper AgAlert concludes with words of support from the federation's first vice president, Paul Wenger.

He said that in the past, Cooperative Extension and research stations have borne the brunt of university budget cuts, but the current restructuring "seems fair."

"Challenging times call for challenging solutions," Wenger was quoted. "But at the same time, you want to make sure that somebody is not carrying the heavier burden of these budget cuts. I think agriculture can rest assured that we're not going to bear a disproportionate burden as it relates to the services we're used to receiving."

The comments appeared in an article written by AgAlert assistant editor Ching Lee, which was published in the Oct. 14 issue. Ching said AgAlert doesn't post all its stories on the Web; this one is not online.

For the article, Ching spoke to UC ANR vice president Dan Dooley. He noted that cuts were guided by the ANR Strategic Vision, a long-range plan developed earlier this year to focus division priorities.

"Even though this is a difficult budget time, we're using it as an opportunity to organize around these future demands that everybody has identified as the high priorities," Dooley was quoted.

Dooley told the reporter there will be many administrative and program-support positions eliminated, but the changes would not affect farmers and ranchers.

"In fact, it should improve services," Dooley said. "We haven't cut a single advisor or specialist position, so the people they interact with on a daily basis are still going to be there. I think as we move forward to implement (the changes), all of our stakeholders - not just the farmers and ranchers - will see a more responsive organization."

More about the ANR restructuring plan is in Dooley's most recent letter to the ANR community and in a list of frequently asked questions.

Quoted in AgAlert article.

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