Of all the issues facing California, farmland conservation doesn’t get a lot of attention. But when you consider the implications for our food supply and the environment in general, maybe it should be a little higher on the priority list. I’m happy to report there are several groups of people who agree.

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a one-day conference co-sponsored by the American Farmland Trust and the Napa County Farm Bureau in Napa, titled “California Farmland Protection: Reality or Wishful Thinking?”  The lineup of speakers was headlined by California Farm Bureau President Paul Wenger, Secretary of Food & Agriculture Karen Ross, Secretary of Natural Resources John Laird, Senator Lois Wolk and Assembly Member Susan Talamantes Eggman.