Join us for a panel discussion on South Santa Clara County agriculture at the the Lizarran Tapas Restaurant in Gilroy. Panelist will speak to topics such as current practices, economic viability, local food systems, sustainability and more. It promises to be an informative and lively event as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing South Santa Clara County agriculture. Opening remarks will be provided by Kevin O'Day, Director of the Santa Clara County Department of Agriculture and moderated by Aziz Baameur, a UC Farm Advisor.

This event is cosponsored with Committee for Green Foothills and is part of an investigative series exploring the issues facing South Santa Clara County that will culminate in a community design day on May 14. The hope is to plan for a future where farms, natural resources, and attractive towns thrive side by side and to build a shared understanding how health of our working landscapes is inextricably linked to the health of our communities. Attendance is eligible for AICP CM Credits

Panelist will include:

• Patrick Archie, Director of Campus & Community Programs for the Environmental Studies Institute at Santa Clara University. Mr. Archie’s expertise is in sustainable agriculture and food policy, and he is a member of the Santa Clara County Food System Alliance.
• Tim Chiala, Director of Fresh Market Sales and Procurement for George Chiala Farms, Inc., is a third generation Morgan Hill farmer. Mr. Chiala is also founder of Timptations, a Morgan Hill CSA, and serves as President for the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau.  
• Kathryn Lyddan, Executive Director of the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust, has worked for the past seven years with agricultural producers, distributors and purchasers to develop innovative marketing and business models to support sustainable food systems.
• Brenda Subia, Co-Founder and Farmer of Ynot Organics, cultivates a three acre farm that sells organic food and fruit to the local community. Open to the public, Ynot Organics also utilizes the farm to provide hands on learning about home gardening, eating healthy and local food systems.

Food of Life: Agricultural Panel Sponsors