CSUs, agriculture team up
University presidents and ag leaders discuss the importance of CSU in
agricultural industry
By JENNA NIELSEN
Fresno State’s agricultural forum brought leaders from around the
state Friday to discuss the impact the California State University system
has on the industry.
The event was sponsored by the chancellor’s office and was the first
stop in the impact tour being made throughout California.
Panel of experts comprising of Chuck Ahlem, co-owner of Hilmar
Cheese Co.,Tonya Antle, vice president Organic Sales Eastbound Farm,
Mark Burrell, managing partner Westmark Group, LLC, George Soares
managing partner Kahn, Soares & Conway LLP, and Mary Wagner,
chief technology officer E & J Gallo Winery. Photo
by Joseph Hollak |
Speakers included university president John Welty, chancellor Charles
B. Reed and Warren Baker, president of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.
The speakers addressed attendees about major issues between the CSU system
and the agriculture industry.
The purpose of the event was to strengthen the relationship between the
CSUs and the agriculture industry and to promote efficiency.
Welty spoke about the impact Fresno State is having on agriculture.
“We are the most productive agricultural region in the world,”
Welty said. “Half of the world’s research in irrigation happens
within 100 miles of Fresno State,” he said.
Welty also said Fresno State has become the focal point in agricultural
research. He said there was a need to continue relationships with the
agriculture industry and continue the strong partnerships they have with
the other CSUs.
Reed discussed the impact CSUs as a whole have on the industry.
“The California State University system is the largest four-year
system in the United States,” he said.
Last year, CSUs graduated 88,000 students, more than all the private universities
in California combined.
Reed explained the importance of maintaining the relationships between
the CSU campuses and the agriculture industry.
“Ag produces more than 20 percent of jobs in the Central Valley
and the CSUs produce 54 percent of the workforce in agriculture,”
Reed said.
Agricultural leaders and panelists from around the state also addressed
university officials.
They spoke of ways to improve efficiency and productivity in the agriculture
industry.
Baker, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo’s president, also said there was
importance of partnering with the agricultural industry.
“We have to come together and cooperate,” Baker said.
He also said the university-industry partnerships will improve California
and help to resolve issues affecting efficiency and productivity.
The forum concluded with a panel discussion of agricultural leaders from
around the state.
They took questions from the audience and individually discussed some
of the future challenges they saw in the agriculture industry and how
partnerships with the CSUs could improve.
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