CRAE Members
The California Roundtable on Ag and the Environment is an alliance of agricultural, environmental, regulatory and social justice leaders who strive to educate each other about agricultural and environmental issues, identify shared interests and advocate in support of the group’s common goals and principles. Regulatory agency partners and technical experts participate as advisors to Roundtable deliberations and activities but do not participate in the final determination of consensus decisions. All members channel information back to their agencies or organizations, creating better understanding among environmental and agricultural interests to strengthen our commitment to cooperation and collaboration.
For organizational descriptions, please scroll to the bottom of the page.
Regulatory and institutional partners
| Agency | Name |
|---|---|
| Almond Board of California | Gabriele Ludwig |
| California Department of Conservation | Brian Leahy |
| California Department of Food & Agriculture | Casey Walsh Cady |
| UC Davis | Robert Gore |
| USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service | Luana Kiger |
Agricultural Council of California
Established in 1919, the Agricultural Council of California provides a unified voice for cooperatives and other farmer-owned businesses in the state legislative and regulatory arenas. We are a catalyst, bringing about positive change for diverse businesses that are owned and operated by farmers and ranchers throughout the state.
American Farmland Trust
American Farmland Trust is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated to saving America’s farm and ranch land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices and supporting a sustainable future for farms. As the vital link among farmers, conservationists and policy-makers, we’re focused on ensuring the availability of the land that provides fresh food, a healthy environment and lasting rural landscapes.
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Bank of America’s Agribusiness department coordinates management of the Bank’s $20 billion agribusiness and food products portfolio. The Agribusiness department deals with government agencies and elected officials on agribusiness and food system issues, and has an Ag Appraisal team that provides appraisal and evaluation services for the Bank.
California Association of Resource Conservation Districts
Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) manage a diversity of resource conservation projects. The California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) is a non-profit organization set up to serve the districts of California, helping them to coordinate efforts at a state and national level.
California Association of Winegrape Growers
Established in 1974, the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) is an advocate for farmers, providing leadership on public policies, research and education programs, sustainable farming practices and trade policy to enhance the California winegrape growing business and our communities.
California Cattlemen’s Association
The California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is a non-profit trade association, formed in 1917, that represents California’s ranchers and beef producers in legislative and regulatory affairs. CCA has 38 county cattlemen’s association affiliates and is an affiliate of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
California Climate and Agriculture Network
The California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN) is a coalition that advances policy solutions at the nexus of climate change and sustainable agriculture. CalCAN compliments and augments existing sustainable agriculture and environmental policy efforts by providing a coordinated, unified and diverse coalition to address state agriculture policy from a climate protection perspective.
California Farm Bureau Federation
The California Farm Bureau Federation is a non-governmental, non-profit, voluntary membership California corporation whose purpose is to protect and promote agricultural interests throughout the state of California and to find solutions to the problems of the farm, the farm home and the rural community.
California Grape & Tree Fruit League
The California Grape & Tree Fruit League is a voluntary public policy organization that represents the interests and concerns of the state’s fresh grape, tree fruit and berry communities. Started in 1936, the League advocates for its members on governmental, legislative and policy issues.
California Rice Commission
The California Rice Commission represents the entire California rice industry, including all 2,500 rice growers and handlers who farm and process rice produced on approximately 500,000 acres annually. The commission deals with the broad fields of development, maintenance and expansion of markets, marketing research, education, advertising and promotion, as well as production and processing research necessary to promote, maintain and enhance the rice industry.
California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation
California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation is a statewide legal and policy advocate for the most exploited of California’s rural poor: the unrepresented, the unorganized, and especially the undocumented and indigenous farm workers. They engage in impact litigation, community education and outreach, legislative and administrative advocacy, and provide public policy leadership in the areas of labor, housing, education, health, worker safety, pesticides, citizenship, immigration, and environmental justice.
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
Founded in 1978, the mission of Community Alliance with Family Farmers is to build a movement of rural and urban people to foster family-scale agriculture that cares for the land, sustains local economies and promotes social justice.
Defenders of Wildlife
Founded in 1947, Defenders of Wildlife is one of the country’s leaders in science-based, results-oriented wildlife conservation. We stand out in our commitment to saving imperiled wildlife and championing the Endangered Species Act, the landmark law that protects them.
Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental Defense Fund is a leading national nonprofit organization representing more than 700,000 members. Since 1967, we have linked science, economics and law to create innovative, equitable and cost-effective solutions to society’s most urgent environmental problems.
Environmental Working Group
The mission of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) is to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment. EWG specializes in providing useful resources to consumers while simultaneously pushing for national policy change.
Holly King, King-Gardiner Farms, LLC
The King and Gardiner families operate almond and pistachio orchards in the Bakersfield, Wasco and Shafter areas of Kern County. The operation is multi-generational and strives to employ current technology and sustainable practices to reduce our environmental footprint and enhance the communities in which we operate.
Markon Cooperative
Markon was created to bring the voice of food-service to the produce community, and it continues to champion the unique needs of large independent foodservice distributors across the US And Canada. A leader in food safety, quality control and innovation, Markon is also mindful of the produce industry’s impact on people – from field workers to consumers.
Natural Resources Defense Council
The Natural Resources Defense Council’s purpose is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends. We use law, science and the support of 1.3 million members and online activists to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.
The Nature Conservancy
The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
Rich Rominger, Rominger Brothers Farms
Rominger Brothers Farms is a progressive, diversified family farm located north of Winters, California. The farm produces many different crops using organic, sustainable and conventional techniques, including winegrapes, processing tomatoes, rice, wheat, corn, safflower, sunflower, alfalfa, oat hay, and sheep.
Roots of Change
Roots of Change (ROC) works to develop and support a collaborative network of leaders and institutions in California with interest in establishing a sustainable food system in our state by the year 2030.
San Joaquin Resource Conservation District
The mission of the San Joaquin County Resource Conservation District (SJCRCD) is to work with public and private property owners to promote the conservation of the County’s diverse resources.
Sustainable Conservation
Sustainable Conservation advances the stewardship of natural resources using innovative, pragmatic strategies that actively engage businesses and private landowners in conservation.
Western Growers
For more than 80 years, Western Growers has been dedicated to improving the competitiveness and profitability of its membership. As the nation’s leading agricultural trade association, it is Western Growers’ vision to guide our members toward a healthy, sustainable and profitable future by offering quality services and programs that complement their businesses.
Western United Dairymen
Western United Dairymen is a voluntary membership organization representing more than 60% of the milk produced in California. Membership benefits include resources in labor law, environmental regulations and pricing issues. Members decide the direction of state and federal legislative efforts affecting the dairy industry.
Regulatory and institutional partners
Almond Board of California
The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of USDA. On behalf of over 6000 growers and 100 handlers growing almonds on approximately 800,000 acres, the Almond Board focuses on generic promotion of California almonds globally, as well as funds research to enhance production and meet food safety and environmental expectations.
California Department of Conservation
With a team of scientists and other dedicated professionals, the Department of Conservation administers a variety of programs vital to California’s public safety, environment and economy. The services DOC provides are designed to balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s obligations by fostering the wise use and conservation of energy, land and mineral resources.
California Department of Food and Agriculture
In partnership with other governmental agencies, the agricultural industry and the community, the California Department of Food and Agriculture aims to protect agriculture, promote its growth, and progress towards a thriving and abundant agriculture.
UC Davis
UC Davis, ranked in the top 10 US public universities, is California’s land grant institution and home to the world’s #1 agricultural and environmental research college, according to Science Watch. A comprehensive campus, UC Davis has over 100 programs of study, as well as many institutes and centers. Founded in 1908, the university is one of the largest UC campuses, with more than 32,000 students on 5,300 acres, and a $740-million annual research budget. The Office of the Chancellor manages the educational, research and community strategic visions for the campus.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Natural Resources Conservation Service works with landowners through conservation planning and assistance to benefit the soil, water, air, plants, and animals for productive lands and healthy ecosystems.