SACRAMENTO, CA - 2009 California Kwanzaa Ag Expo ~ "The Spirit of Water."

We continue to share a broader perspective of "Agriculture, the foundation of our Black Culture" during the Kwanzaa holiday season. U.S. Agriculture leaders, USDA leadership and California Agriculture leaders to see a first hand view, the "Spirit of Water" in breadbasket of California from the viewpoint of Black Agriculture.

California currently is a world leading Agriculture region. Limited natural resources are short supply and global Climate Change standards will impact us all, especially access to water.

Special tours and presentations will highlight the past, present and future contributions of Black Farmers and Agriculturalists to the legacy of California Agriculture during our California Kwanzaa Ag Expo, December 9 -12, 2009.

Nationally, Black Farmers and Agriculturalists may be officially declared an endangered species and receive the proper governmental protection when our United States Department of Agriculture receives an 2010 independent audit of current program delivery throughout the nationwide system.

The National Agriculture Statistical Service(NASS) U.S. Ag Census data does quantify a bleak picture for Black Farm Operators, yet a requested special tabulation specific to the impacted community may need congressional direction to paint a clear picture of the current reality.

The Obama Administration, through U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, has began another round of "unique Civil Rights measures" to transform, yet again the "People's Department" USDA, beginning with President Abraham Lincoln and the end of chattel slavery.

Nationwide the agency still does not serve the needs of Black Agriculture according to the data of the U.S. Ag Census.

The legacy of Black Agriculture in the State of California remains an open secret best documented by the legacy of the earliest Black pioneers during the dawn of California Agriculture production.

Established in 1848, the early pioneers of town Negro Hill, a thriving regional agriculture community, are today remembered as "UNKNOWN" moved from Nigger Hill by the U.S. Government in 1954.

First California Governor Peter Burnett proposed to export every black person out of our state in 1850 in his inaugural address. His destructive vision for Black Farmers is sustained in many parts of our State today in an unyielding, relentless attack, of equal opportunity to the bounty of "California Grown" Black Agriculture.

Today, Black farm operators have been reduced to less than 1/4 of 1% of all farmers in California, often by legislative action, judicial review and executive direction. U.S. Food and Farm Policy has destroyed access to fresh fruits and vegetables in most California Black communities and limited assistance to local food systems providing a economic foundation for regional green sustainable development.

Beginning at our California Kwanzaa Ag Expo 2004, then Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights Vernon Parker, helped begin a new day for California Black Farmers and Agriculturalists to regain our stature and rightful place in the world's leading Agriculture community, today Dr. Joe Leonard serves in the seat of authority in a restructured USDA organization chart.

The historical legacy of Black Agriculture is best reflected in the Kwanzaa Holiday, an agricultural "first fruits" celebration, created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 California, yet today, most who celebrate Kwanzaa are ashamed of the historical legacy of Agriculture excellence and equate Agriculture as a form of modern day slavery to avoid at all cost.

Our international holiday is a unique, "California Grown" expression of the best in Pan-African traditions. The 7 principles and symbols of Kwanzaa are universal, good for the entire world to embrace.

California Kwanzaa Agriculture Expo 2009, the spirit of water, builds upon our motto, "Agriculture is the Foundation of Black Culture."

Black Farmers and Agriculturalists can lead the world in providing basic health food security for people of African ancestry globally if given an opportunity and equity participation through targeted programs for our producers.