WHEREAS, March 19, 2025, 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 fifth largest in the world; and

WHEREAS, The theme of California Agriculture Day 2025 is Ag at Work: Cultivating Careers & Communities in recognition of the vital role agriculture plays in our state. From nurturing careers to building vibrant communities, our agricultural industry is the backbone of California. Let us honor the dedication and hard work of those in the agricultural sector who help feed the nation and sustain our communities; 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 over one-third of vegetables and nearly three-quarters of the fruits and nuts produced in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Farming and related industries employ more than 22.1 million people, making up over 10.4 percent of employment in the United States; 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, The inexhaustible efforts of millions of farmworkers have contributed greatly to the success of the industry; and

WHEREAS, Todays agricultural industry offers over 200 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 22 percent of average household disposable income in 1949 to 11.2 percent in 2023; and

WHEREAS, California is the nations leader in agricultural exports, shipping $23.6 billion in food and agricultural commodities around the world in 2022, which represents a 4.4 percent increase from the previous year; and

WHEREAS, California is the nations sole exporter of many agricultural commodities, supplying 99 percent or more of the nations exported almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, garlic, kiwifruit, olives and olive oil, pistachios, prunes, table grapes, raisins, tomatoes for processing, and walnuts; 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, Science, technology, and innovation have enabled California agriculture to continually improve quality, safety, and consumer product choice, and drive advancements in organic production, reduced water use, and more sustainable pest management practices, including biological controls; and

WHEREAS, California agriculture has provided strong leadership in the adoption of climate-smart practices to reduce methane and other greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, save water, and scale up soil health practices to sequester carbon and other solutions to climate change; 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 say that it is important to them to purchase food items grown in the state and they have demonstrated increased support of farmers markets, community-supported agricultural programs, and Farm to School programs; and

WHEREAS, A broad approach to agricultural education is vital to ensuring that California agricultural farms and ranches continue to flourish; and

WHEREAS, California is estimated to lose 797,400 acres of agricultural land by 2040, 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 Senate of the State of California, That the Senate recognizes and honors all those who work in California agriculture for their dedication and productivity by designating Wednesday, March 19, 2025, as California Agriculture Day and by observing March 18, 2025, as National Agriculture Day; and be it further

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

SR 28

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