This measure would declare 2015 as the International Year of Soils, and recognize the importance of healthy soils as a critical resource supplying an abundance of food, diverse habitats, water storage, and climate resiliency.

This measure would declare 2015 as the International Year of Soils, and recognize the importance of healthy soils as a critical resource supplying an abundance of food, diverse habitats, water storage, and climate resiliency.

This measure would declare 2015 as the International Year of Soils, and recognize the importance of healthy soils as a critical resource supplying an abundance of food, diverse habitats, water storage, and climate resiliency.

This measure would declare 2015 as the International Year of Soils, and recognize the importance of healthy soils as a critical resource supplying an abundance of food, diverse habitats, water storage, and climate resiliency.

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, Ninety-five percent of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils and the essential nutrients they contain; and

WHEREAS, It can take up to 1,000 years to form one centimeter of soil, and, with 33 percent of all global soil resources degraded, critical limits are being reached, making stewardship an urgent matter; and

WHEREAS, According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 805 million people across the globe face hunger and malnutrition, and future population growth will require an approximate 60-percent increase in food production; and

WHEREAS, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations launched the International Year of Soils on World Soil Day, December 5, 2014; and

WHEREAS, On January 6, 2015, the United States Department of Agriculture began its celebration of the International Year of Soils to highlight the importance of healthy soils for food security, ecosystems functions, and resilient farms and ranches; and

WHEREAS, California has launched its Healthy Soils Initiative and is pioneering efforts to incentivize building soil organic matter and provide research, education, and technical support to facilitate healthy soils and ensuring interagency coordination and collaboration; and

WHEREAS, Ensuring healthier soils by increasing the carbon content and soil organic matter can help enhance the long-term sustainability of California agriculture and its resiliency to climate change; and

WHEREAS, Improved soil health increases soils water holding capacity and water infiltration rate, which can help optimize the management of Californias scarce water supply; and

WHEREAS, Increasing soil health helps to improve food crop yields, help to increase soil fertility and the ability to hold plant nutrients and water, supports beneficial biological microbial diversity and populations, reduces soil erosion, and can be used to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon; and

WHEREAS, The building of soil organic matter can be supported by several management practices, including, but not limited to, minimal soil disturbance, residue soil cover, the use of cover crops, and the utilization of compost; and

WHEREAS, In 1997, the California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 389 (Monteith), Chapter 331, Statutes of 1997, commemorating completion of the states most comprehensive soil inventory by designating San Joaquin Soil as the official State Soil; and

WHEREAS, We recognize the essential role of all of Californias soils in supporting a thriving California economy and healthy environment and ensuring a sustainable and food secure future; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby declares 2015 as the International Year of Soils; and be it further

Resolved, That on the occasion of the International Year of Soils, the Legislature recognizes the importance of healthy soils as a critical resource supplying an abundance of food, diverse habitats, water storage, and climate resiliency; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

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, Ninety-five percent of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils and the essential nutrients they contain; and

WHEREAS, It can take up to 1,000 years to form one centimeter of soil, and, with 33 percent of all global soil resources degraded, critical limits are being reached, making stewardship an urgent matter; and

WHEREAS, According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 805 million people across the globe face hunger and malnutrition, and future population growth will require an approximate 60-percent increase in food production; and

WHEREAS, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations launched the International Year of Soils on World Soil Day, December 5, 2014; and

WHEREAS, On January 6, 2015, the United States Department of Agriculture began its celebration of the International Year of Soils to highlight the importance of healthy soils for food security, ecosystems functions, and resilient farms and ranches; and

WHEREAS, California has launched its Healthy Soils Initiative and is pioneering efforts to incentivize building soil organic matter and provide research, education, and technical support to facilitate healthy soils and ensuring interagency coordination and collaboration; and

WHEREAS, Ensuring healthier soils by increasing the carbon content and soil organic matter can help enhance the long-term sustainability of California agriculture and its resiliency to climate change; and

WHEREAS, Improved soil health increases soils water holding capacity and water infiltration rate, which can help optimize the management of Californias scarce water supply; and

WHEREAS, Increasing soil health helps to improve food crop yields, help to increase soil fertility and the ability to hold plant nutrients and water, supports beneficial biological microbial diversity and populations, reduces soil erosion, and can be used to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon; and

WHEREAS, The building of soil organic matter can be supported by several management practices, including, but not limited to, minimal soil disturbance, residue soil cover, the use of cover crops, and the utilization of compost; and

WHEREAS, In 1997, the California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 389 (Monteith), Chapter 331, Statutes of 1997, commemorating completion of the states most comprehensive soil inventory by designating San Joaquin Soil as the official State Soil; and

WHEREAS, We recognize the essential role of all of Californias soils in supporting a thriving California economy and healthy environment and ensuring a sustainable and food secure future; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby declares 2015 as the International Year of Soils; and be it further

Resolved, That on the occasion of the International Year of Soils, the Legislature recognizes the importance of healthy soils as a critical resource supplying an abundance of food, diverse habitats, water storage, and climate resiliency; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

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, Ninety-five percent of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils and the essential nutrients they contain; and

WHEREAS, It can take up to 1,000 years to form one centimeter of soil, and, with 33 percent of all global soil resources degraded, critical limits are being reached, making stewardship an urgent matter; and

WHEREAS, According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 805 million people across the globe face hunger and malnutrition, and future population growth will require an approximate 60 percent increase in food production; and

WHEREAS, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations launched the International Year of Soils on World Soil Day, December 5, 2014; and

WHEREAS, On January 6, 2015, the United States Department of Agriculture began its celebration of the International Year of Soils to highlight the importance of healthy soils for food security, ecosystems functions, and resilient farms and ranches; and

WHEREAS, California has launched its Healthy Soils Initiative and is pioneering efforts to incentivize building soil organic matter and provide research, education, and technical support to facilitate healthy soils and ensuring interagency coordination and collaboration; and

WHEREAS, Ensuring healthier soils by increasing the carbon content and soil organic matter can help enhance the long-term sustainability of California agriculture and its resiliency to climate change; and

WHEREAS, Improved soil health increases soils water holding capacity and water infiltration rate, which can help optimize the management of Californias scarce water supply; and

WHEREAS, Increasing soil health helps to improve food crop yields, help to increase soil fertility and the ability to hold plant nutrients and water, supports beneficial biological microbial diversity and populations, reduces soil erosion, and can be used to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon; and

WHEREAS, The building of soil organic matter can be supported by several management practices, including, but not limited to, minimal soil disturbance, residue soil cover, the use of cover crops, and the utilization of compost; and

WHEREAS, In 1997, the California Legislature enacted SB 389 (Monteith), Chapter 331, Statutes of 1997, commemorating completion of the states most comprehensive soil inventory by designating San Joaquin Soil as the official State Soil; and

WHEREAS, We recognize the essential role of all of Californias soils in supporting a thriving California economy and healthy environment and ensuring a sustainable and food secure future; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby declares 2015 as the International Year of Soils; and be it further

Resolved, That on the occasion of the International Year of Soils, the Legislature recognizes the importance of healthy soils as a critical resource supplying an abundance of food, diverse habitats, water storage, and climate resiliency; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

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, Ninety-five percent of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils and the essential nutrients they contain; and

WHEREAS, It can take up to 1,000 years to form one centimeter of soil, and, with 33 percent of all global soil resources degraded, critical limits are being reached, making stewardship an urgent matter; and

WHEREAS, According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 805 million people across the globe face hunger and malnutrition, and future population growth will require an approximate 60 percent increase in food production; and

WHEREAS, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations launched the International Year of Soils on World Soil Day, December 5, 2014; and

WHEREAS, On January 6, 2015, the United States Department of Agriculture began its celebration of the International Year of Soils to highlight the importance of healthy soils for food security, ecosystems functions, and resilient farms and ranches; and

WHEREAS, California has launched its Healthy Soils Initiative and is pioneering efforts to incentivize building soil organic matter and provide research, education, and technical support to facilitate healthy soils and ensuring interagency coordination and collaboration; and

WHEREAS, Ensuring healthier soils by increasing the carbon content and soil organic matter can help enhance the long-term sustainability of California agriculture and its resiliency to climate change; and

WHEREAS, Improved soil health increases soils water holding capacity and water infiltration rate, which can help optimize the management of Californias scarce water supply; and

WHEREAS, Increasing soil health helps to improve food crop yields, help to increase soil fertility and the ability to hold plant nutrients and water, supports beneficial biological microbial diversity and populations, reduces soil erosion, and can be used to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon; and

WHEREAS, The building of soil organic matter can be supported by several management practices, including, but not limited to, minimal soil disturbance, residue soil cover, the use of cover crops, and the utilization of compost; and

WHEREAS, In 1997, the California Legislature enacted SB 389 (Monteith), Chapter 331, Statutes of 1997, commemorating completion of the states most comprehensive soil inventory by designating San Joaquin Soil as the official State Soil; and

WHEREAS, We recognize the essential role of all of Californias soils in supporting a thriving California economy and healthy environment and ensuring a sustainable and food secure future; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby declares 2015 as the International Year of Soils; and be it further

Resolved, That on the occasion of the International Year of Soils, the Legislature recognizes the importance of healthy soils as a critical resource supplying an abundance of food, diverse habitats, water storage, and climate resiliency; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

SENATE THIRD READING

STR Bill Id:SCR 83

Author:(Wolk and Galgiani)

As Introduced Ver:July 16, 2015

Majority vote

SENATE VOTE: 38-0

SUMMARY: Declares 2015 as the International Year of Soils, and recognizes the importance of healthy soils as a critical resource supplying an abundance of food, diverse habitats, water storage, and climate resiliency. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. 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% of the nation's supply of fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

2. Ninety-five percent of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils and the essential nutrients they contain.

3. California has launched its Healthy Soils Initiative and is pioneering efforts to incentivize building soil organic matter and provide research, education, and technical support to facilitate healthy soils and ensuring interagency coordination and collaboration.

4. Ensuring healthier soils by increasing the carbon content and soil organic matter can help enhance the long-term sustainability of California agriculture and its resiliency to climate change.

5. Improved soil health increases soil's water holding capacity and water infiltration rate, which can help optimize the management of California's scarce water supply.

6. Increasing soil health helps to improve food crop yields, help to increase soil fertility and the ability to hold plant nutrients and water, supports beneficial biological microbial diversity and populations, reduces soil erosion, and can be used to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon.

Analysis Prepared by: Mukhtar Ali / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0001652

Date of Hearing: August 27, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES

Richard Gordon, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SCR 83

Author:(Wolk) – As Introduced Ver:July 16, 2015

SENATE VOTE: 38-0

SUBJECT: International Year of Soils.

SUMMARY: Declares 2015 as the International Year of Soils, and recognizes the importance of healthy soils as a critical resource supplying an abundance of food, diverse habitats, water storage, and climate resiliency. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. 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% of the nation’s supply of fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

2. Ninety-five percent of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils and the essential nutrients they contain.

3. California has launched its Healthy Soils Initiative and is pioneering efforts to incentivize building soil organic matter and provide research, education, and technical support to facilitate healthy soils and ensuring interagency coordination and collaboration.

4. Ensuring healthier soils by increasing the carbon content and soil organic matter can help enhance the long-term sustainability of California agriculture and its resiliency to climate change.

5. Improved soil health increases soil’s water holding capacity and water infiltration rate, which can help optimize the management of California’s scarce water supply.

6. Increasing soil health helps to improve food crop yields, help to increase soil fertility and the ability to hold plant nutrients and water, supports beneficial biological microbial diversity and populations, reduces soil erosion, and can be used to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Biosafety Alliance

California State Guild

Sacramento Community Grange

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SCR 83

Author: Wolk (D) and Galgiani (D), et al.

Introduced: 7/16/15

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: International Year of Soils

SOURCE: California State Guild

DIGEST:

This resolution declares 2015 as the International Year of Soils, and recognizes the importance of healthy soils as a critical resource supplying an abundance of food, diverse habitats, water storage, and climate resiliency.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. 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% of the nation’s supply of fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

2. Ninety-five percent of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils and the essential nutrients they contain.

3. California has launched its Healthy Soils Initiative and is pioneering efforts to incentivize building soil organic matter and provide research, education, and technical support to facilitate healthy soils and ensuring interagency coordination and collaboration.

4. Ensuring healthier soils by increasing the carbon content and soil organic matter can help enhance the long-term sustainability of California agriculture and its resiliency to climate change.

5. Improved soil health increases soil’s water holding capacity and water infiltration rate, which can help optimize the management of California’s scarce water supply.

6. Increasing soil health helps to improve food crop yields, help to increase soil fertility and the ability to hold plant nutrients and water, supports beneficial biological microbial diversity and populations, reduces soil erosion, and can be used to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon.

This resolution declares 2015 as the International Year of Soils, and recognizes the importance of healthy soils as a critical resource supplying an abundance of food, diverse habitats, water storage, and climate resiliency.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/14/15)

California State Guild (source)

Biosafety Alliance

Community Food and Justice Coalition

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/14/15)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has recognized 2015 as the Year of the Soil, which brings to light the importance of healthy soil and having soil organic matter (SOM) present. Benefits such as plant growth, water retention, soil structure and stability, and reduced erosion could be even greater if the amount of SOM is raised from its current levels. Short and long-term goals have been outlined in the Healthy Soils Initiative Proposal, including: establishing research projects to better understand carbon farming; subsidence reversal; wetland restoration; drainage issues; and, providing education and technical support to facilitate healthy soils. The general public is not aware of how truly essential soil is to food security or climate adaptation. Soil takes thousands of years to only grow a few centimeters, and is being lost very quickly due to erosion and modernization. With the global population increasing, farmers will be using soil to grow food to meet the needs of these people, and should be aware of how to minimize soil disturbance. For these reasons, 2015 is being recognized as the International Year of Soils, dedicated to campaigning for healthy soil and educating people about its importance.

Prepared by: Melissa Ward / SFA / (916) 651-1520

8/18/15 17:18:18

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