FOUNDATION FOCUS PLAYING OFFENSE FOR AGRICULTURE by CCA Director of Communications Katie Roberti for the California Cattlemen's Foundation California agricultural organizations, including the California Cattlemen's Foundation, huddled together on Sept. 7 to support the first-ever “Salute to Ag" football game at UC Davis. The University’s Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research Center (CLEAR Center), directed by animal agriculturalist and air quality specialist Dr. Frank Mitloehner, sponsored this home opener to honor farmers, ranchers, workers, and allied industry members. “Farming and ranching in California are among the best in the United States, if not the world,” Mitloehner said. “The growers and all the partners who make their work possible are showing what can be done when we come together to make the essential undertaking more sustainable.” As part of the sponsorship, the CLEAR Center offered discounted tickets, encouraging farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals to attend the football game and the evening dedicated to celebrating their efforts. “We count on our farmers and ranchers every day, and the CLEAR Center was proud to honor them at the Salute to Ag UC Davis football game,” CLEAR Center Associate Director for Communications Joe Proudman said. Another key part of the Salute to Ag evening was giving people the opportunity to learn more about California agriculture. When attendees arrived at the UC Davis Health Stadium, those entering the main gate got a close-up view of tractors and livestock, including a pen of UC Davis heifers. Inside the stadium, space on the east side was dedicated to agricultural groups with educational booths. From dairy farming practices to agricultural research, those who walked through the section could learn about various aspects of agriculture in the state. California ranching families and producers were well represented at the California Cattlemen’s Foundation booth, which proudly displayed facts about the Golden State’s ranchers and all they manage. “It was exciting to see the UC Davis Animal Science Department bring out cattle, sheep, goats, and tractors to the stadium for fans to experience firsthand,” Proudman said. “It was
28 California Cattleman October 2024
also important to have groups like California Cattlemen's Foundation part of the game and fans really appreciated learning more about California cattle production." The CLEAR Center, University of California Agriculture Natural Resources and the California Milk Board Advisory are a handful of the other groups that connected with fans at the game. Located directly inside the main gate, the Foundation was fortunate to have a great booth spot, and it was the first stop inside the stadium for many students, fans, and community members. As people approached the booth, a large poster about California's ranching families displayed facts such as: • California ranching families manage 38 million acres of rangelands and forests; • 82 perent of ranchers in California have herds with less than 200 cows; • One cow can consume approximately 27 pounds of forage per day, about 5 tons per year—5 tons which instead could be fuel for California’s next catastrophic wildfire; and • 93 percent of ranches and farms in California are family-owned and operated. ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
CCA’s Maureen LaGrande and Katie Roberti in front of the Foundation’s booth.