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This measure would recognize and honor the men and women of California agriculture for their dedication and productivity by observing March 18, 2015, as National Agriculture Day, and designating March 18, 2015, as California Agriculture Day.

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WHEREAS, March 18, 2015, is designated as California Agriculture Day, a day of celebration to commemorate agricultures importance in our daily lives, its vital role in keeping Californians nourished, and its role in keeping the states economy ranked as the eighth largest in the world; and

WHEREAS, The 2015 theme of California Agriculture Day is California Breaking New Ground in recognition of the diversity and significance of California agriculture, which is constantly developing new and innovative technologies; 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 nations supply of fruits, vegetables, and nuts; and

WHEREAS, The inexhaustible efforts of Californias farmworkers have contributed greatly to the success of the agricultural industry; and

WHEREAS, Californias 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 Californias 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, Todays agricultural industry offers a diverse range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities, from on-farm cultivation to food science and engineering; and

WHEREAS, Over the past seven decades, advances in agricultural production have resulted in a drop in consumer spending on food products from 23 percent of disposable income in 1947 to approximately 10 percent today; and

WHEREAS, California is the nations leader in agricultural exports, shipping more than 18.8 billion dollars worth of food and agricultural commodities around the world in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Californias 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 are increasingly demonstrating their preference for California grown products, and over the last decade, Californians have greatly increased their support of farmers markets, community-supported agricultural programs, and farm-to-school programs; and

WHEREAS, A broad approach to agricultural education is vital to ensure that agriculture in California continues to flourish; and

WHEREAS, California is estimated to lose 500,000 acres of agricultural land by 2050 and more than 300,000 acres of it will have been highly productive irrigated cropland, and thus California should continue to work for conservation to preserve Californias 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 18, 2015, as National Agriculture Day, and designating Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 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.