SACRAMENTO – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hold a two-day meeting to discuss a variety of local agricultural issues impacting the Delta and Sonoma County.  

As an advisory board to the governor and the CDFA secretary, the board addresses issues of importance to California’s farmers, ranchers and community stakeholders.

On Wednesday, Jan. 31, the board will hear from Delta stakeholders on the importance of Delta agriculture, agritourism and environmental restoration efforts.

The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Old Sugar Mill, 35265 Willow Ave. (Barrel Room), Clarksburg.

Invited speakers include Supervisor Skip Thomson, chair of the Delta Protection Commission; Mark Pruner, public member of the Delta Protection Advisory Committee; Stephen F. Herigner III, Heringer Estates Family Vineyard & Winery; Tim Neuharth, Steamboat Acres; Michael George, Delta Watermaster; and Kristopher Tjernell, California Natural Resources Agency. Following the meeting, board members will have a tour of Delta region in cooperation with staff from the Delta Protection Commission.

On Thursday, Feb. 1, the board will have a meeting in Sonoma County to discuss the impacts of the October wildfires on local agricultural production.

The meeting will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Iron Horse Vineyards, 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol.

Invited speakers include: Agricultural Commissioner Tony Linegar, county of Sonoma; Karissa Kruse, Sonoma County Winegrowers; Honore Comfort, Wine Business Institute; Gladys Horiuchi, Wine Institute; and a representative from Sonoma County Tourism.

Prior to the meeting, board members will have a tour of impacted areas in Sonoma County in cooperation with staff from the county of Sonoma.

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representatives and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome.

Follow the board on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard.