Supervisors to discuss Agricultural Access Verification Card Program at September 19 Special Meeting

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to Review the Agriculture Access Verification Program

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is set to consider changes to the county’s Agriculture Access Verification Program during a Special Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19 beginning at 4 p.m.

Meeting Details

• Date: Tuesday, Sept. 19
• Time: 4 p.m.
• Location: In person or virtual

Instructions on how to join the meeting and provide public comment are available by clicking on the Sept. 19 meeting agenda here.

Spanish-language interpretation will be available for those attending the meeting in person as well as those attending via Zoom.

About the Agriculture Access Verification Program

The current Agriculture Access Verification Program has been in place for one year and has received 168 applications from commercial livestock producers and commercial plant agriculture producers. To date, 103 access verification cards have been issued following completion of in-person fire and worker safety training. During a mandatory evacuation, access cards permit operators to transport, shelter, feed, water and administer veterinary care to livestock; irrigate crops; fuel emergency generators or provide auxiliary support to emergency personnel.

Following regional wildfire disasters in 2017, 2018 and 2019, the County invited 43 different stakeholder groups to provide input and held 18 stakeholder meetings to address concerns related to access to agriculture and livestock operations during mandatory evacuation, including the safety of operators and workers.

The County’s Agricultural Access Verification Program maintains that operators are responsible for compliance with state and federal safety regulations, including protective actions that may be required due to changing conditions during a flood, storm, wildfire, or other disaster. Harvesting or sowing crops, food processing, and facility repairs are not considered eligible activities as part of the program.

Ad Hoc Committee and Policy Development

In 2022, the Board of Supervisors established an Ad Hoc Committee to support a collaborative policy development process and to ensure that state law AB 1103, which was passed in 2021 and authorizes counties to establish an evacuation zone access program, is implemented in a way that supports the needs of local workers and operators.

The committee included Supervisors Lynda Hopkins and Chris Coursey and staff representatives from Emergency Management, Agriculture/Weights & Measures, Sheriff’s Office, Office of Equity and the University of California Cooperative Extension.

Code of Conduct

The Board of Supervisors has adopted rules of procedures which include a commitment to civility. To assure civility in its public meetings, the public is encouraged to engage in respectful dialog that supports freedom of speech and values diversity of opinion. Board Members, staff and members of the public are expected to establish and maintain a cordial and respectful atmosphere during discussions; and foster meaningful dialogue free of personal attacks. Those who violate these standards will be asked to end their comments or, if online, will be muted.

Media Contact

• Name: Dan Virkstis
• Email: publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org
• Phone: (707) 565-3040
• Address: 575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.

   The article discusses the Agriculture Access Verification Program in Sonoma County, which aims to provide access to agriculture and livestock operations during mandatory evacuation. This program supports the goal of achieving zero hunger by ensuring the continuity of food production systems and agricultural practices during emergencies.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.

   The Agriculture Access Verification Program in Sonoma County aims to address concerns related to access to agriculture and livestock operations during mandatory evacuation. By ensuring access to resources and support during emergencies, the program contributes to reducing the number of people affected by disasters and minimizing economic losses.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

   The Agriculture Access Verification Program in Sonoma County is designed to support operators in complying with state and federal safety regulations during disasters, including wildfires. By providing access cards and training, the program strengthens the resilience and adaptive capacity of agriculture and livestock operations to climate-related hazards.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: sonomacounty.ca.gov

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