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JULY 29, 2018

WE THE PEOPLE RADIO

WE THE PEOPLE RADIO
 
Hour 1 WE THE PEOPLE RADIO Hour 2 WE THE PEOPLE RADIO

"The Struggle of Rural America Part 1"

with Jim Smith, Siskiyou County Ag Commissioner /Sealer

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Jim grew up on a Tulelake potato, grain and hay family farm that his grandfather homesteaded following his service in WWI. Over the years, Jim has earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree from California State University, Chico. He also has teaching credentials in the subject areas of agriculture, industrial arts and science.

Jim's work experience is diverse, starting on the family farm, extending in later years to agriculture consulting and research and now as the Siskiyou County Agriculture Commissioner/Sealer. He loves the North State and will promote agriculture while achieving a safe environment for all.

Agriculture Department

Agriculture, Animal Control, Air Pollution Control and Weights & Measures

Main Office  8 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 5 pm, Monday through Friday

525 South Foothill Drive Yreka, CA 96097  Phone: 530-841-4025

We are charged with promoting and protecting the agricultural industry of Siskiyou County, and to provide leadership in developing policy on important issues facing Siskiyou County Agriculture. We are to ensure that the consumer has confidence that they receive accurate weight and measure in the market place. Our purpose is to protect the environment and the citizens of the county through our environmental and natural resource protection, consumer and industry protection, air quality, and animal control programs.

Siskiyou County has a rich farming and ranching heritage with many fourth and fifth generation operators.  Livestock and field crops are the most common agricultural type of production in the county. Strawberry nursery production has recently become one of the county’s most valuable crops with plants exported to many countries worldwide. Siskiyou County is the second most ecologically diverse county in the nation. The county operates one of the largest invasive noxious weed programs in the state in an effort to protect native and endangered species as well as important crop and forest land. Jim is committed to serving and protecting Siskiyou County’s agricultural industry as well as the County’s unique and diverse landscape.

The Agriculture Department has several Divisions and the Navigation Pane on the left will guide you to specific areas of interest.  The following bulleted lists will highlight tasks performed by the various divisions.

Environmental and Natural Resource Protection

  • Pesticide Use Enforcement & Environmental Monitoring
  • Plant Protection & Quarantine Inspection
  • Pest Detection
  • Vegetation Management
  • Vertebrate Pest Management
  • Nursery Inspection
  • Seed Inspection
  • Apiary Inspection
  • Integrated Pest Management

 Consumer and Industry Protection

  • Fresh Fruit, Nut, Vegetable and Honey Quality Control
  • Egg Quality Control
  • Weights and Measures
  • Crop Report
  • Certified Farmers’ Markets (Direct Marketing)
  • Organic Registration and Inspection

 Animal Control Program

  • Domestic Animal Control
  • Predatory Animal Control

 Air Pollution Control

  • Air Monitoring
  • Burn Program
  • Stationary Source

 

California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association
 
CACASA is the official representative body on behalf of the California County Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers of Weights & Measures who are entrusted to promote and protect California’s impressive and highly valuable agricultural production and ensure a fair marketplace. 
 
 
California Farm Facts:  Based on the California Agricultural Statistics 2015 Crop Year Report
 

  • California is ranked # 1 in the United States in cash receipts at $47 billion. 
  • California represents nearly 13% of total U.S. agricultural cash receipts.  
  • Approximately 77,500 farms and ranches, with 25.5 million acres of farmland in production, were operated in California in 2015. 
  • Dairy products remained California’s leading commodity and accounted for 19% of receipts for US dairy products and California produced nearly 20% of the nation’s milk supply in 2015. 
  • California ranked #1 in the U.S. in production of fluid milk, butter and nonfat dry milk.
  • California’s floriculture crop leads the nation with almost 25% of the U.S. total wholesale value. 
  • California produces about half of the U.S. grown fruits, nuts and vegetables, which constitute a large part of the global food and fiber supply. 
  • More than 400 commodities are grown in California.  Many crops are produced solely in California. 
  • California accounted 7% of U.S. revenue for livestock, poultry and their products.

CACASA’s Role:  Representing all of California's 58 counties, County Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers of Weights and Measures have the dual roles of promoting and protecting the state’s food supply, agricultural trade, the environment, public health and safety, consumer confidence and a fair marketplace in California.  Unique to California, County Commissioners and Sealers are appointed by their respective Boards of Supervisors, and work cooperatively with California Department of Food and Agriculture and Department of Pesticide Regulation, federal and other state agencies, and stakeholders to implement regulatory programs at the local level for applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. 
 
Supporting state and federal efforts, Agricultural Commissioners certify agricultural shipments for export, prevent the introduction, spread and establishment of invasive agricultural pests, and protect human health and the environment from impacts of improper pesticide use. Sealers provide a “level playing field” for businesses and ensure that consumers are protected in the marketplace in the purchase of commodities being weighed, measured or counted. 
 
Our dedicated members maintain an excellent awareness and understanding of the local conditions, establish effective collaboration with stakeholders, and work to maintain a balance between public good and commerce to protect our abundant food supply, promote sustainable environment, and ensure a fair marketplace.  

California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association -- CACASA -
CACASA Fact Sheets 2018 MASTER Copy v2.p[...] 
Adobe Acrobat document [1.4 MB]

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