Yolo County Supervisors Angel Barajas and Lucas Frerichs hosted a successful second Western Yolo Ag Roundtable on Tuesday, July 2 at the Capay Valley Health and Community Center.
The goal of the roundtable was to strengthen relationships with the agricultural community in western Yolo County, present current information on programs and services and provide a forum for discussion.
"Supervisor Barajas and I are fortunate to represent the entirety of Western Yolo County and our purpose for hosting these forums is to ensure that we actively communicate and build relationships with our farmers and agricultural producers," Frerichs said. "Living in an agricultural county, we also recognize that the success of the agricultural sector is of benefit to all of our communities throughout Yolo County."
Frerichs, current chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, represents District 2 which encompasses the city of Winters, portions of the city of Davis and unincorporated rural areas in southwestern Yolo County. Barajas represents District 5 which encompasses parts of Woodland, Knights Landing, Madison, Esparto, Dunnigan and the entire Capay Valley.
"As we continue to build on the outcome of our first roundtable, it is clear that these discussions are invaluable for understanding and addressing the needs and concerns of our agricultural community," Barajas said. "Our ongoing commitment is to engage with our rural constituents and keep them informed about initiatives and services that can support them. The feedback we receive is critical in shaping policies that benefit our agricultural sectors and the wider community."
The roundtable featured three panels of speakers:
Ag Worker Panel
- Rodrigo Lopez, Yolo County's Agricultural Labor Coordinator, provided an overview of programs and services offered by Yolo County to farmworkers and their families.
- Karen Baker, Yolo Food Bank's Executive Director, and Maria Segoviano, Yolo Food Bank's Director of Development & Communications, summarized the Yolo Food Bank's 2024 Food Access Survey Report, highlighting the percentage of food insecure residents in Yolo County, specifically among farmworkers.
- Marisa Alcorta, Center for Land-Based Learning's Director of the California Farm Academy Apprenticeship Program, shared information on the launch of the Center for Land-Based Learning's new Career Advancement Farmworker Pilot Program, AgHire, that provide Spanish-language training for current farmworkers including digital-literacy, leadership, and managerial skills.
Ag Program & Services Panel
- Gretchen Bennitt, Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District's Executive Director, provided an overview of the programs, services, and incentives offered by the Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District.
- Morgan Doran, UC Cooperative Extension's (UCCE) Advisor for Livestock and Natural Resources, discussed key programs offered by UCCE, as well as new and upcoming programs and incentives benefiting Yolo County's agriculture industry.
Farm Bureau/Yolo County Committee Update
- Garrett Driver, Past President and Board Member of the Yolo County Farm Bureau;
- Gerardo Pinedo, Yolo County Administrator; and
- Humberto Izquierdo, Yolo County Agriculture/Weights & Measures Director, provided an update on the collaboration between the Farm Bureau and Yolo County.
Following the panels, Barajas and Frerichs invited attendees to an open discussion. Topics included property taxes for farmers, year-round operations at migrant centers, farmworker housing, prime agricultural land preservation, additional public transportation for farmworkers commuting further up the valley and fire safety, among other issues.
Supervisors Barajas and Frerichs appreciate all who attended the roundtable discussion. They intend to continue these meetings, alternating locations within Districts 5 and 2. Additionally, the supervisors acknowledge and thank the Capay Valley Health and Community Center for hosting this valuable discussion.
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