Oct. 10, 2010

The Greater Vision series of public forums on topics relevant to local agriculture continues Oct. 22, when industry professionals, educators and elected officials meet at California State University, Monterey Bay to discuss "Our Shared Legacy: Land and Water."

The forum will be held in the University Center on Sixth Avenue, starting at 1 p.m.

Assemblywoman Anna Caballero will be the keynote speaker. Her topic: Land and Water – A Mosaic of Public Interests. In her remarks, she will provide some context for understanding public policy from the local, regional and state levels.

A panel chaired by Jim Bogart of the Grower-Shipper Association will look at issues surrounding land use. Panelists will include Bill Leahy of the Big Sur Land Trust, Bob Roach of the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner's Office, Amy White of Landwatch Monterey County, and But Lindley, local grower and former member of the county Board of Supervisors.

A panel chaired by Darlene Din of the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation will look at conflicts and solutions around water issues. Panelists will include Dr. Marc Los Huertos of CSUMB, Catherine Bowie of California American Water, Kay Mercer of Central Coast Ag Water Coalition and Curtis Weeks of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency.

Salinas Mayor Dennis Donahue will offer closing remarks on where the community goes from here.

CSUMB's School of Business, the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation and the Central Coast Ag Task Force are sponsoring the forum, one in a series of discussions on agriculture-related issues open to the public.

The event is free to the public. Driving directions and a campus map are available at csumb.edu/map.

The day's schedule: 12:30-1 p.m. – Check-in at University Center on Sixth Avenue 1-1:10 p.m. – Opening remarks by Dr. Brad Barbeau of CSUMB's School of Business

1:10-1:20 p.m. – Welcome remarks by CSUMB President Dianne Harrison

1:20-1:30 p.m. – Overview of Greater Vision Series by Dr. Marylou Shockley, chair of the School of Business

1:30-1:55 p.m. – Keynote address by Assemblywoman Anna Caballero

1:55-3:10 p.m. – Panel 1: Land

3:10-4:25 p.m. – Panel 2: Water

4:25-4:40 p.m. – Closing remarks by Salinas Mayor Dennis Donahue