Members of California Women for Agriculture (CWA) were active in Sacramento last week for their monthly statewide meeting and annual Adopt-A-Legislator program visits with elected representatives and staff of California State Assembly and Senate offices.

CWA statewide has been preparing for more than a month for the annual visit to the Capitol. In all, they contacted the currently filled offices of 72 people in the state. 

The Salinas Valley Chapter delegation was led by Chapter President Lora Pankey Eade and Legislative Director Kristina Chavez Wyatt. The Chapter, representing Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, met with seven leadership offices, including those of local Assemblymen Luis Alejo and Mark Stone. 

Advocating for California agriculture and talking to local county representatives that know agriculture is the easiest part of the CWA’s visiting schedule, according to a press release. "The challenging part of the Adopt-A-Legislator visit includes speaking with representatives from regions that do not have a strong background in agriculture. CWA takes advantage of this opportunity to educate legislators about our state’s food, fiber and fuel."

The non-partisan efforts of CWA addressed legislators in their “Adopt-A-Legislator” program regarding active legislation that addressed ag employment hours/overtime, neonicotinoid pesticides, ag theft crimes, food bank donations, groundwater programs and climate pollutants. They wrapped up the day with a Legislative reception where they continued the conversation and their advocating efforts.

The Salinas Valley Chapter will soon be announcing its scholarship recipients for 2016. This year’s CWA will be giving out $20,000 in scholarship funds.

For more information about the California Women for Agriculture Salinas Valley Chapter, to join or offer your support, see www.SalinasCWA.org or email [email protected].