Fresno County Central Library helps prepare for California Kwanzaa Ag Expo

Fresno, CA – The 16th Annual California Kwanzaa Ag Expo is preparing to showcase the #1 Agriculture economy in America and demonstrate a new positive direction expanding California, Africa, Caribbean Agribusiness Trade and Commerce.

Our 16th Annual, California Kwanzaa Ag Expo, "Agriculture the Foundation of our Culture" shares a broader perspective of our Kwanzaa Holiday Season with the world. Fresno, California is the nation’s leading Agriculture region and poised to provide leadership in a renaissance for Black Agriculture producers.

Together, we will showcase past, present and future contributions of Black Farmers and Ranchers California State Capitol during our California Kwanzaa Ag Expo, Friday, December 10, 2004.

Only a decade ago, US Ag Secretary, Ann Veneman, our first women Agriculture Secretary in U.S. History, helped us begin to break down barriers nationally, in "our last plantation" our United States Department of Agriculture.

Nationally, Black Farmers and Agriculturalists were declared an endangered species and received minimal governmental protection. Some producers were offered limited consideration in federal court consent decree and many other socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers were provided similar relief by the US Congress.

Then, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Secretary Karen Ross and CDFA Board President Craig McNamara continue to implement a forward vision expanding the reach of “California Grown” products despite an ever changing political landscape and challenging environmental climatic conditions.

Gloabal, new Black Agriculture producers, will prosper utilizing ethnic specialty crops, in both urban and rural production. Together, we have an amazing opportunity to expand local capacity and export markets throughout diverse Pan African, Brazilian and Caribbean ethnic consumer markets, in deed we have come a long way this 150th Anniversary of Juneteenth, globally.

Few want to consider the journey since, first California Governor Peter Burnett proposal to export every black person out of our state in 1850 in his inaugural address. The plethora of California Legislative actions since 1850, sustained in many parts of our State today, reflect in an unyielding, relentless attack reflected in the data within the 2012 US Census Agriculture.

Today, California Black Agriculture producers are quantified as less than 1/3 of 1% of all farmers in California, often by legislative action, judicial review and executive direction, preparations for the 2017 US Census of Agriculture target opportunities for growth and development.

Our California Kwanzaa Ag Expo 2014 celebrates a new day for Black Agriculture production to regain our stature and rightful place in the world's leading Agriculture community, collaborative partnership with the Africa USA International Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the key building block, looking forward.

California is named after an African Queen Califia as the hurricanes hit Baja California Sur. Few want to consider the African Founding Father of California helping to create Agriculture Export in California; his steam vessel is seen on our California State Seal. The town of Allensworth, California highlights the efforts by US Colored Troops, Civil War Veterans in the State of California.

The best of Pan African legacy of Black Agriculture is best reflected in the Kwanzaa Holiday Season, an agricultural "first fruits" celebration created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 California.
Our international holiday is uniquely, a "California Grown" expression of the best in Pan-African traditions. The 7 principles and symbols of Kwanzaa are universal, good for the entire world.

One standard for all humanity is the vision of our celebration, "Agriculture is the Foundation of Culture." Black Agriculture producers will once again lead the world in providing basic nutrition, health and wellness for people of African ancestry globally, while providing an amazing diversity of Pan African Diaspora agriculture products.

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