Santa Rosa, CA—Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), chair of the Senate Select Committees on California Food: Local, Organic, and Sustainable Systems, and California’s Wine Industry, announced an informational hearing in Santa Rosa on Monday, October 15th, 2012. The hearing, titled Sustainable Food and Wine Production: California’s Future, will study the impact of state regulations on the sustainable production of local food and wine, a large and growing sector of California’s economy.

The hearing will consist of three panel discussions with legislators, invited stakeholders and policymakers discussing the impacts of state law and regulations on the sustainable production of food and wine. A public comment period will also be provided towards the end of the hearing.

With help from the Community Media Center of the North Bay, the hearing will be broadcast live in Santa Rosa County over Comcast channel 28 and on the Santa Rosa Community Channel position on the AT&T U-verse system. Additionally, the hearing will be streamed live through Senator Evans’ website at http://sd02.senate.ca.gov/sustainable-food-wine-production

WHEN: Monday, October 15th, 2012 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Santa Rosa City Hall, Council Chambers, 100 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA

WHO: Senator Noreen Evans, and members of the Senate Select Committee on California Food: Local, Organic and Sustainable Systems and members of the Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry

WHY: Joint informational hearing on Sustainable Food and Wine Production: California’s Future

Draft Agenda:

INTRODUCTION

- Senator Evans, Chair

- Committee Members and Invited Assemblymembers

OVERVIEW OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND WINE PRODUCTION ISSUES IN CALIFORNIA

- Michael Dimock, President, Roots of Change

- Joe Pozzi, Pozzi Ranch Lambs and Sonoma County Farm Bureau

- Renata Brillinger, Executive Director, California Climate & Agriculture Network

- Serena Coltrane Briscoe, Program Associate, AgInnovations Network

THE BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE WINE PRODUCTION ON LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS

- Nick Frey, President, Sonoma County Winegrape Commission

- Laurel Marcus, Executive Director, California Land Stewardship Institute

- Doug McIlroy, Director of Winemaking, Rodney Strong Vineyards

PROMOTING LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS THROUGH IMPROVEMENTS TO CALIFORNIA’S DIRECT MARKETING PROGRAMS

- Justin Malan, California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH)

- Dave Runsten, Policy Director, Community Alliance With Family Farmers

- Leah Smith, Director of Programs, Agricultural Institute of Marin

PUBLIC COMMENT

CLOSING REMARKS

State Senator Noreen Evans represents the Second Senatorial District, including all or portions of the Counties of Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma. Senator Evans Chairs the Legislative Women’s Caucus and the Committee on Judiciary.