Californians want their government to act efficiently, effectively and cooperatively--in other words, they want government to act smart. That's why it is crucial that state and local governments work together to craft practical solutions to the challenges that face our state. This year's California Agricultural Resource Directory highlights key areas where such cooperation is paying huge dividends for our economy, our health and our environment.

This partnership between county agricultural commissioners and state agencies is an excellent example of what can be achieved when different levels of government focus on big issues of importance to producers and consumers. With the state being threatened constantly with invasive pests that could wreak havoc on our food supply, the economy and environment, it is crucial that pesticides employed to combat these invaders are used safely. Californians should therefore be heartened to know that the state has the largest and best-trained pesticide enforcement organization in the country with more than 400 inspector biologists from county commissioner offices overseeing local enforcement under state Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) supervision.

California's sheer size and varied growing areas requires a coordinated partnership between state and local agencies to protect our millions of consumers, our sensitive and beautiful environment, and our complex economy. While it is all too often assumed that different levels of government don't cooperate, CDFA, DPR and their local government partners demonstrate day in and day out that cooperation is not only a reality, but more important, it works.

This directory presents the most recent information and data on the performance and output of agriculture in California. As the statistics and figures demonstrate, California's farmers and ranchers are real visionaries who have succeeded in developing new and better ways to produce food and fiber of the highest quality and with the greatest care for the environment.
-- A.G. Kawamura, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture