CDFA

The State Board of Food and Agriculture is a fifteen-member state board, appointed by the Governor, and carefully selected to represent a broad range of agricultural commodities, a variety of geographic regions and both the University of California and California State University academic systems.

The State Board of Food and Agriculture is responsible for advising the Governor and the Secretary of CDFA on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The Board often acts as a host to bring together local, state, and federal government officials, agricultural representatives and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

The State Board of Food & Agriculture is charged with the following responsibilities:

• Inquire into the needs of the agricultural industry of this state and the functions of the department in relation to such needs, and confer and advise with the Governor and the Secretary as to how the agricultural industry and the consumer of agricultural products may best be served by the department.
• Make recommendations to the Secretary regarding project agreements to be funded.
• Make investigations, conduct hearings, and prosecute actions concerning all matters and subjects which are under the jurisdiction of the department.

The term of office of the members of the board is four years. The terms expire on January 15 of each year in the rotation which is presently established. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term. On February 1 of each year, the Governor shall designate one of the members of the board to serve as president.