On Friday, Assembly Member Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) with coauthors Social compassion in legislation and Good Food Institute, presented AB 1289, Smart Climate Agriculture Program. Assembly Member Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) co-sponsor of the bill, which created to support California farmers who want to move from livestock – crop production.
Helping Local Farmers Transition Will Strengthen California’s Leadership in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, creating jobs in a fast-growing industry, providing healthy and organic food for a growing population, and helping keep family farms in business.
“By providing our local farms with the tools and resources to transition to plant-based agriculture, farmers can play a greater role in tackling climate change through sustainable practices, helping the state become a leader in the supply and processing of food and plant-based products. for our constantly growing population “, Assembly member Kalra said in a statement posted to WAN.… “I am proud to support family farms and have authored a historic law that illustrates and promotes California’s values.”
The existing law already requires Department of Food and Agriculture oversee the organic farming program to incentivize farmers whose practices contribute to the well-being of ecosystems, air quality, wildlife and their habitats. AB 1289 will install Smart Climate Agriculture Program, which will provide grants to small and medium-sized farmers to convert their land from livestock to crop production. The bill will also provide technical assistance to these farmers and develop advanced land transfer methods.
“AB 1289 gives farmers a way out of the control of other organizations, which often leaves them in debt and with no way out. This bill is voluntary and it helps farmers who need options, ”he said. Judy Mancuso, Founder and CEO of Social Compassion in Legislation… “This not only helps them, but benefits the whole society by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing more sustainable long-term food sources and making us less dependent on foreign sources for ingredients for a growing plant-based food industry.”
Small and medium family farms that move from livestock, dairy or livestock to crop production will create jobs as market demand for plant-based products continues to grow. By keeping these farms operational and diversifying the state’s working lands, the bill aims to increase agricultural revenues and help California become a leader in the supply and processing of food and plant products. AB 1289 will also help the state implement complementary practices that protect and preserve the environment and natural resources, especially as the population continues to grow.
Sales of meat, eggs and plant-based dairy products are projected to grow in 2021, driven by investment in manufacturing and technology from private and public organizations that view alternative protein as a safe and sustainable option.
“Consumer demand for plant-based products is growing rapidly,” he said Jessica Almi, Policy Director at Good Food Institute who reported that plant food in The US reached $ 5 billion in 2019, up 11% from 2018, and grew five times faster than total food sales. “AB 1289 supports farmers who want to meet this demand and become the center of an emerging sustainable industry.”
California has already taken significant steps towards developing policies and programs to preserve and protect the environment, combat climate change and create sustainable jobs, and AB 1289 exemplifies all of these California values.
You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and glass. #GoVeg
The post “California wants to help farmers transition to plant-based cultivation through a smart climate agriculture program” first appeared in World Animal News.