Emerging issues and trends in agriculture will be highlighted by speakers from agriculture, state government, private industry and academia during the California Ag Summit, to be held Thursday, Feb. 10, at the University of California, Davis.

The summit, intended for agricultural producers and representatives of related businesses, is coordinated by a committee of agricultural organizations and companies. Organizers say the event is “dedicated to preserving and enhancing the vitality of the agricultural industry.” It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the UC Davis Conference Center, opposite the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.

Welcoming the participants will be Neal Van Alfen, dean of UC Davis’ College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

The summit will include three sessions, focused on water issues, California politics and future societal trends. The event is open to the public, with tickets costing $90 per person.

Speakers will include global futurist and author Jack Uldrich and keynote speaker Maureen Mazurek, director of corporate responsibility/sustainability people and planet for Monsanto Company.

Also presenting will be:

• UC Davis Professor Richard Howitt, an authority on water economics;
• Charlie Hoppin, chair of the State of California Water Resources Control Board;
• Richard Roos-Collins, director of Legal Services for the Natural Heritage Institute;
• Paul Wenger, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation;
• Jill Benson, vice president of the JS West Milling Company;
• Arnold Riebli, president of the Association of California Egg Farmers; and
• comedian Jack Gallagher as the luncheon speaker.

More information and registration are available online at http://www.calagsummit.org.

The summit is organized and supported by Best Best & Krieger LLP; Ag-Seeds Unlimited; California Cattlemen’s Association; California Farm Bureau Federation; California Agricultural Leadership Foundation; California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom; Meta Research & Marketing; Monsanto; Moss Adams LLP; Simplot Grower Solutions; Union Bank, N.A.; and Wilbur-Ellis Company.

Summit organizers plan to donate net proceeds from the event to the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students and teachers across California gain an understanding of agriculture.