Nearly 200 people gathered last week for the seventh EconAlliance Growing Possibilities Ag Forum held at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge. The event attracts policymakers, economic stakeholders and community leaders attending to hear the challenges and opportunities currently facing the North County ag community. Of particular note, the status of Santa Barbara County’s agriculture industry against the backdrop of the state and national ag environment was highlighted. EconAlliance Ag Lead George Adam, President of Innovative Produce, once again emceed the event, and new EconAlliance CEO John Fowler was introduced by EconAlliance Board President Laurie Tamura to ag community attendees.

• Keynote speaker Dave Puglia, President/CEO of Western Growers, an ag coalition nonprofit serving numerous U.S. states, described the state and national environment facing growers, producers, and shippers.
• County Ag Commissioner Jose Chang presented County ag sector and export data.
• County Supervisor Bob Nelson, with Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) VP of Economic Development Robert Burris, provided an overview of the RCRC, a 40-member rural county coalition in which Santa Barbara County participates.

A panel discussing local challenges and opportunities featured local representatives from vegetables, berries, wine grapes and the livestock sector. The panel was moderated by Claire Wineman, President of the Growers-Shippers Association of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Panel participants included Kristen Camarena of Betteravia Farms, Dan Figueroa of Reiter Affiliated Companies, Pierre LaBarge of LaBarge Winery and Santa Barbara Vintners, and Russell Chamberlin of the Ted Chamberlin Ranch.

A second panel, moderated by Thornhill Companies COO/EVP Marshall Miller, focused on Ag Economics and Impact at a broader global, national and state level. Panelists included Phil Adam of Innovative Produce, Brett Ferini of Rancho Laguna Farms, AJ Fairbanks of Crown Point Vineyards, and Jim Stollberg of Maverick Farming.

Santa Barbara County agriculture is the largest industry contributor to the County budget (over $2B in gross production) and is a key ag asset for California. Crop diversity and a year-round growing season make our area unique. Our countywide ag workforce is comprised of 30,000 direct jobs, another 10,000 indirect jobs, with 1 in 10 countywide jobs attributed to agriculture. County ag exports to 34 countries, with Canada and Mexico top export markets. Strawberries top the ag industry’s sector, earning nearly $900M, with nursery products and lettuces also key crops.

Ag is one of seven North County industries served by EconAlliance.

Photos Credit: Left Lenz Media