California Agriculture: Growing for an Ever Changing World
The Kern Agriculture Summit highlights the strength of agriculture in California, the challenges that affect agriculture and the future trends of sustainability and growth. Examining the seeds sown in the past, cultivating the knowledge today, we prepare for the harvests of tomorrow.
U.S. Congressman and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy will be the Honorary Chair at the summit.
Bakersfield College agriculture professor and 2014 Kern Agriculture Summit committee member Lindsay Ono was published in The Bakersfield Californian for his Community Voices piece on the important information shared at the summit on how agriculture and policy affect our area - download PDF
Conference Program
Download Program for more information! (PDF)
Speakers
- Karen Ross, California Secretary of Agriculture
- Paul Wenger, California Farm Bureau President
- Rep. Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Leader
- Senator Jean Fuller
- Congressman David Valadao
Schedule
Download Program for more information! (PDF)
| 7:00 am - 8:00 am |
Registration & Continental Breakfast |
| 8:10 am - 8:20 am |
Opening Ceremony
Welcome - Barry Zoeller: Tejon Ranch, Master of Ceremonies
Presentation of Colors: Future Farmers of America
National Anthem: BC Choir/John Gerhold
|
| 8:20 am - 8:30 am |
Summit Welcome & Introduction
Sonya Christian: Bakersfield College President
Kevin McCarthy: Honorary Kern Ag Summit Chairman
|
| 8:30 am - 9:30 am |
Session 1: Karen Ross
Karen Ross: Secretary of Agriculture, California Department of Food & Agriculture (DC water presentation)
9:20 am - 9:30 am: Audience Q&A
|
| 9:30 am - 11:30 am |
Session 2: California Crop & Water Trends Panel
10-15 minute presentation per panelist
Harry Cline, Western Farm Press
Jason Peltier, Westland Water District
David Valadao, US Congressman
Eric Everett, Kern County Ground Water District
|
| 11:30 am - 12:30 pm |
Lunch: A Calivore Lunch
Blessing & Prayer for Rain - Father Jack Estes, The Bakersfield Garden Project
12:00 pm-12:30 pm: Damian Mason, Inspirational Agriculture Speaker & Humorist
|
| 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm |
Session 3: Paul Wenger
Paul Wenger: President, California Farm Bureau
|
| 1:15 pm - 2:45 pm |
Session 4: Farm Challenges in Kern Panel
10-15 minute presentation per panelist
Jason Gianquinto: General Manager, Semitropic Water Storage District
Greg Wegis: Wegis and Young Farming, Kern County Farmer
Brenda Baldwin: P,G,&E Customer Relationship Manager
Jeff Rasmussen: Crop Production Services, CAPCA State Board of Directors, PCA
David Haviland: Kern County Cooperative Extension, Entomology and Pest Management Farm Advisor
Ruben Arroyo: Kern County Agricultural Commissioner
|
| 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm |
Session 5: Political Ag Challenges
Jean Fuller, State Senator
Kevin McCarthy, US Congressman
|
| 3:15 pm - ? |
Summit Conclusion
Barry Zoeller, Tejon Ranch, Master of Ceremonies
|
| 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm |
Wine with your Elected Officials
Wine and Cheese reception
Entertainment: Roger Martin, The Lounge Guy
|
Planning Committee
- Aaron Hegde, California State University Bakersfield
- Amber Chiang, Bakersfield College
- Beatris Espericueta Sanders, Kern County Farm Bureau
- Betsy Ramsey, US Congress (David Valadao)
- Bill Barnes, Bakersfield College
- Bill Kelly, Bakersfield College
- Brian Marsh, UC Cooperative Extension
- Chris McCraw, Bakersfield College
- Dalton Kelley, Kern County Farm Bureau
- Darren Filkins, Bolthouse Farms
- David Haviland, UC Cooperative Extension
- Dennis Mohle, Fresno City College - DSN
- Don Camp, South Kern Machinery
- Doug Starr, Calcot
- Eric Barba, Roll Global
- Eric Garcia, Driscolls
- Erika Boyland, US Department of Agriculture
- Greg Cluff, Bakersfield College
- Greg Palla, San Joaquin Cotton
- Jared Britchgi, Tejon Ranch
- Jeff Green, Grimmway Farms
- Jeff Rasmussen, Crop Production Services
- John Means, KCCD
- John Karlik, UC Cooperative Extension
- John W. Lake, Rain for Rent
- Juan Alvarez, US Department of Agriculture
- Kurt Lewis, Dairy Farmers of America
- Larry Carrol, Department of Environmental Resources
- Leah Carter, Bakersfield College
- Lindsay Ono, Bakersfield College
- Mark Newton, Bakersfield College
- Mary Jo Pasek, Bakersfield College
- Melissa Baird, US Department of Agriculture
- Mike Kovacevich, Bolthouse Farms
- Mike Pitter, Rain for Rent
- Monica Cervantes, Rain for Rent
- Nathan Marogoni, US Department of Agriculture
- Noemi Donoso, Roll Global
- Patty Poire, Grimmway Farms
- Pete Belluomini, Lehr Brothers
- Ralph Mendes, Kern High School District
- Rob Baker, Paramount Farms
- Roger Riley, California Water Resources Board
- Sally Sterns, Bakersfield College
- Scott Pavletich, Pavletich Electric
- Sonya Christian, Bakersfield College
- Steve Maniaci, Sunridge Nursery
- Teresa Hogan, US Department of Agriculture
- Tito Martinez, Valpredo Farms
- Tracey Reynolds, California Assembly (Shannon Grove)
Couldn't join us live for the Kern Agriculture Summit? We've posted the Summit here for you to watch!
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