News and Events

Imagining a Food System that Belongs to All of Us

Friday, April 21, 3:30 PM, SH 316

San Diego County Food Vision 2030 is a shared vision, plan, and movement for transforming our region's food system over the next ten years. With three goals, ten objectives, and detailed strategies to inform policy, program, planning, and investment opportunities, Food Vision 2030 serves as a call to action and political compass as we work together toward a more equitable and resilient future for all. Three thousand residents of San Diego County-a majority of whom have been deeply impacted by inequities voiced their needs and aspirations for the food system and provided essential input on the Vision.

Please join Sona Desai to learn more about the San Diego County Food Vision 2030 planning process and how we can work together to imagine a food system that belongs to all of us.

Sona Desai has been working to advance sustainable and equitable food systems for more than 20 years. As Co-Executive Director of the San Diego Food System Alliance, Sona provides strategic and management support for the organization, strengthens support services for small-scale sustainable food producers and fishermen in the region, provides consulting services to advance economic development in the food system and leads diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Sponsored by the Center for Better Food Futures, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Food Studies and the Department of Geography

 

Climate change impacts and opportunities for California’s natural and working lands: The role of the USDA Climate Hub

Friday, February 17, 3:30 PM, SH 316

Reception immediately following the presentation on the Storm Hall balcony

Steven Ostoja will overview the mission of the USDA Climate Hub to enable climate information decision-making for farmers, ranchers, and foresters to ensure resilience for the state's natural and working lands, and discuss opportunities for engagement and collaboration for students and faculty.

Steven will also share findings from USDA California Climate Hub projects regarding the impacts of wildfire on wine grapes, extreme heat events on high-value perennial crops like citrus and almonds, and what climate change in terms of warmer and dryer conditions might mean for the future of farming in the largest agricultural producing state in the nation.

Dr. Ostoja's research interests include applied natural resources management, human-environment interactions, and climate adaptation science. His work has been published in over 50 peer-reviewed, government and technical publications, and has contributed to numerous popular media outlets. As Director of the California Climate Hub, Dr. Ostoja leads the development and delivery of regional, science-based information that enables climate-smart agricultural and forestry decision-making for natural and working lands for the largest state in the nation. When not running the California program, you will find Dr. Ostoja either on a mountain bike trail, running white water rivers, or paddle surfing.

Sponsored by the Center for Better Food Futures and the Department of Geography