A.G. Kawamura, former CA Secretary of Agriculture, to Keynote Seedstock Sustainable Ag Conference

Seedstock has announced that former Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (2003-2010) Arthur Gen "A.G." Kawamura, will deliver the keynote address at the 3rd Annual Seedstock Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Conference - "Reintegrating Ag: Local Food Systems and the Future of Cities."

The program, to be held Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 11-12, 2014, will focus on the economic, environmental and community benefits that result from the development of robust local food systems.

"As a progressive urban farmer, A.G. Kawamura has had a lifetime of experience working within the shrinking rural and urban boundaries of Southern California," said Seedstock co-founder Robert Puro. "With his extensive knowledge of California's agricultural landscape, and the challenges and opportunities associated with the development of strong local food systems, he will bring a unique and enlightening perspective to our conference audience."

"Developing and supporting the efforts of individuals committed to local sustainable agriculture while working within the parameters of the local natural environment is a balance of art and science," said Kawamura. "In addition to marketing, politics, and emerging technology, there is tremendous need for creativity in meeting the challenges and finding the solutions for establishing local food systems in order to reap their benefits."

A third generation fruit and vegetable grower from Orange County, Kawamura is co-chair of Solutions From the Land Dialogue, a United Nations Foundation funded project developing a sustainable roadmap for 21st century agricultural systems. He currently serves on several boards and committees, including: the Agricultural Advisory Committee of the AGree Initiative, a national and global effort to address food and ag policies for the future; the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources (BANR), a policy arm of the National Academy of Sciences' Natural Resource Council; Ag Advisory Committee for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs; Trustee for the Council on Agriculture, Science and Technology (CAST); American Farmland Trust; and, the 25x'25 Alliance, a national coalition of renewable energy stakeholders. He is a former chair and current board member of Western Growers Association.

Through his company, Orange County Produce, LLC, Kawamura is engaged in building an exciting, interactive 100-acre urban agricultural showcase at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California.

Day 1 of the Seedstock event offers a look at urban farming operations in Southern California as well as focused breakout sessions. On Day 2, attendees will convene at the UCLA Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles for a series of discussion panels addressing how city and county policy can encourage investment in, and support of, local and urban agriculture, as well as an examination of the business models and technological solutions necessary to augment the growth of local food systems.

For additional information and to purchase early bird tickets, please visit conference2014.seedstock.com.

For sponsorship opportunities, please send inquiries to: sponsor@seedstock.com. If you are interested in participating as a conference speaker, please send your request to: participant@seedstock.com.