In the state’s Central Valley, which is plagued by record unemployment rates, the agriculture engine is being threatened by water shortages and the erosion of farmland protection programs. Public understanding and support for the industry is critical, farmers contend.
“California Agriculture” license plates were introduced this week during the annual meeting of the Future Farmers of America in Fresno by A.G. Kawamura, director of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
“What better way to show support for agriculture? Our young people benefit from an investment in their future, and that helps all of us as we strive for continued food security in the decades ahead,” Kawamura said.
The “California Agriculture” program needs 7,500 paid pledges by spring 2011 before license plates can be issued. People interested in obtaining the specialty license plates can go online to place paid orders. If sufficient pledges are not received by the deadline, participants can ask for a refund, or give state officials an additional year to collect pledges.
The cost of these specialty plates is added to annual vehicle license fees. An initial fee of $50 ($40 per year to renew) will be charged for a “California Agriculture” license plate with a random set of numbers; personalized license plates will cost $98 initially ($78 to renew). Money raised by the sales will fund agriculture-related education programs.
A recent analysis by The Modesto Bee revealed agriculture, particularly in the fertile Central Valley, has remained strong despite the state’s and region’s economic troubles. The University of Pacific’s Business Forecasting Center released a bleak economic outlook for the valley this week. Researchers concluded that California’s two-year recession appears to have ended last fall; however, the valley has only now just bottomed out. It likely will take four to five years to return to normal, pre-recession conditions.
Often at odds with California agriculture interests, even the National Resources Defense Council has acknowledge the critical role agriculture will play in the state’s economic recovery and environmental well-being.
Writing on his blog this week, Barry Nelson, an NRCD senior policy analyst, noted: “It’s important to acknowledge that keeping land in agricultural production helps reduce sprawl and greenhouse gas emissions from our cities. … Frankly, environmentalists don’t express their support for a strong, sustainable agricultural economy often enough.”
About the author: Dianne Hardisty of Bakersfield is a former business and editorial page editor. Her work also appears in The Bakersfield Californian and online.
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