Future of Agriculture in California Summit
The climate that has allowed California to become a global food producer is changing. Many producers already implement soil- and climate-smart practices like cover-cropping. How can agriculture producers and land owners continue to make profit and increase yields under drought, groundwater use restrictions, and warmer weather? How can California support farmers' transition to new practices and adoption of new technologies?
The Maddy Institute, in partnership with Climate Now and the Livermore Lab Foundation, will host more than 250 in-person attendees and others virtually at a free first-of-its-kind summit on March 30 at the Satellite Student Union.
Engage with the community, industry, policymakers, and academia in a technical discussion to explore the opportunities, technologies, and challenges for agriculture in a changing climate.
Virtual event sign-up (link)
In-person registration (link)
For more information, contact events@climatenow.edu. This event (link) is brought to you by The Maddy Institute, Climate Now and the Lawrence Livermore Foundation. (Press release link)
EVENT SCHEDULE
8:30 - 8:45 AM
Open poster session presenting research by students and faculty, and exhibitor booths available to engage with.
8:45 - 9:00 AM
Speaker: Dr. Rolston St. Hilare (Fresno State University)
9:00 - 9:30 AM
Keynote Speaker: Karen Ross (Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture)
What does California policy provide for farmers, producers, and ranchers in response to climate change? What opportunities exist to support farmers to transition to more carbon-friendly practices, and increase profits?
Speaker: Jennifer Pett-Ridge (LLNL)
What are farmers and producers already doing to support greater yield and climate smart practices? What challenges are they facing? What support do they need from scientists, academia, and policymakers?
Moderator: Louie Brown, Kahn (Soares & Conway, LLP)
Panelists: Don Cameron (Terranova Ranches), Daniel Hartwig (Woolf Farms), Joe Del Bosque (Del Bosque Farms), Hector Lujan (Reiter Affiliated Companies)
11:00 - 11:15 AM
Open poster session presenting research by students and faculty, and exhibitor booths available to engage with.
With drought conditions and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, some former agricultural lands are proving difficult to sustain. What lands should be repurposed and what economic opportunities exist for land owners willing and able to repurpose their land?
Moderator: Chantelise Pells (California State University, Stanislaus)
Panelists: Jose Rodriguez-Flores (UC Merced), Susan Long (Tule Trust), Vicky Espinoza (The Nature Conservancy), Angel Santiago Fernandez-Bou (Union of Concerned Scientists)
12:15 - 1:15 PM
Moderator: President Saul Jimenez-Sandoval (Fresno State University)
What techniques and technologies can be used to reduce water use in agriculture? What are the challenges to adopting new techniques, and what policies can support farmers in this adoption?
Moderator: Charles Hillyer (California Water Institute)
Panelists: Helle Peterson (WET Center, Fresno State) Richard Restucchia (Jain Irrigation), Caitlin Peterson (PPIC), Aaron Fukuda (Tulare Irrigation District), Claude Corcos (Netafim)
Open poster session presenting research by students and faculty, and exhibitor booths available to engage with.
2:30 - 3:30 PM
The war in Ukraine caused fertilizer costs to spike. How might climate change impact how and what Central Valley farmers are able to export (and import from) overseas? What funding is provided by the state and federal government to support farmers to adjust their operations?
Moderator: Aaron Hegde (California State University, Bakersfield)
Panelists: Abe Padilla (CSUB), John Deal (CSUB), Yuliana Lacsina (CSUB), Cayetano Urias (CSUB)
3:30 - 4:30 PM
The Experimental 'Smart Farm'
Learn about cutting-edge research into new technologies, new ways to gather, manage, and assess soil and water data, reduce farm costs and support better working conditions and higher yields.
Moderator: Thomas Harmon (University of California, Merced)
Panelists: Danny Royer (UC Merced), Humberto Flores Landeros (UC Merced), Leigh Bernacchi (CITRIS, UC Merced), Pauline Canteneur (FarmWise)
4:30 - 4:45 PM
Speaker: Mark Keppler (The Maddy Institute)
4:45 - 6:00 PM
Open poster session presenting research by students and faculty, and exhibitor booths available to engage with.
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Satellite Student Union
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Fresno, CA 93710