FAIRPLEX STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING AGRICULTURE AND FOOD 10:00 a.m., April 13, 2017
Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center Meeting Called By: Miguel Santana, President & CEO Facilitator: Robin Engel Attendees: Strategic Planning Steering Committee: Benny Ayala, Rep. Senator Connie Leyva Soraya Coley, President Cal Poly Robin Engel, Consultant Ronald Gonzales-Lawrence, Rep. Assembly Member Freddie Rodriguez Tom Hsieh, LACF Association Linda Lowry, Pomona City Manager Tina Loza, LACFA Board/Neighbor Norma Martinez, Rep. Hilda Solis, L.A. Board of Supervisors – District 4 Miguel Santana, President & CEO Robert Torres, Pomona Council Member – District 6 Committee/Staff: Thomas Canavan, Michelle DeMott, Dana Leuthauser, Juan Madrigal, Tammy Roush, Heather Tanji, David Teig Community: Jeff Allred, John Atwater, Paola Avendano, Angelica Baltazar, Heather Batcheller, Silvia Bishop, Jon Blickenstaff, Laura Bollinger, Linda Bosserman-Piatt, Beth Brooks, Mary Brooks, Bryan Brown, Cynthia Burch, Mary Castellanos, Natalie Chaidez, Nakita Chand, Inri Constancio, Richard Crean, Don DeLano, Reyna Del Haro, Christina Dempsey, Bree Deones Hsieh, Elin Dowd, Mike Driebe, John Echeveste, Chris Faull, Matt Fong, Karen Furlow, Heidi Gallegos, Alessa Galven, Barry Gillies, Doug Glaeser, Claudia Gutierrez, Coralea Harbushka, Pamela Heintz, Anne Henderson, Nena Hernandez, Renee Hernandez, Carol Hersch, Mark Hill, Danny Holznecht, Linda Keagle, Darren Krohn, Wing Lam, Lucie, Leung-Gurung, Martha Leyva, Karen Loehr, Art Ludwick, Norma Martinez, Laurie McCormick, Geneva Moody, Steve Morgan, Reggie Mundekis, Colene Nath, Erica Arias Nichols, Blake Noriega, Danny Oaxaca, Demetreanna Ofurie, Larry Ortega, Andrew Quinones, Dr. Holly Reynolds, Dwight Richards, Andrea Rico, Julia Rivas, Christina Romero, Megan Samaniego, Martin Sancho-Madriz, Mike Seder, Martha Sheedy, Jil Stark, Syd & Lynn Swearingen, Ed Tessier, Barbara Tuyen, Ron Vander Molen, Isidro Villanueva, Kathy Wadham, Craig Walters, Ken Weekes, Alison White, Michael Woo. Mr. Santana welcomed everyone to the Agriculture Food Strategic Planning Meeting. Mr. Santana explained the importance of this being a collaborative community process and thanked the many attendees for their time and interest. He stated that there was a larger response to this process than anticipated, employees, partners, association members, community, council members, senate and assembly members are represented, specific industry leaders, and our neighbors that experience some of the impacts from activities at Fairplex. He encouraged everyone to join in discussion after the presentation and emphasized that what you say matters and that it is important to this strategic process.
FAIRPLEX STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING Agriculture and Food April 13, 2017 Page 2 Mr. Santana referred to one of the resources provided prior to the meeting, “What is Placemaking”. He stated that Placemaking can define a venue or place. A venue is like a box filled with activities and experiences defined by the facility. A place can still have four walls but has meaning and purpose, it has a value and a mission. Fairplex has different activities from childcare to drag racing, communities come together, they overlap and they connect. Placemaking can inspire people to reimagine and reinvent public spaces as the heart of a community. Strengthening the connection between people and the places they share. It’s a collaborative process in which we can maximize a shared value. Mr. Santana reviewed the 2017 Strategic Planning process stating that the Fair’s origin has been a mission centered on the region’s agriculture and commerce. He stated that through this process we will discuss why, and what that is currently, and what will it look like in the next 100 years and we will do that in a collaborative fashion with you, our stakeholders.
Mr. Santana introduced the Strategic Topics and timeline of forthcoming sessions and
encouraged attendees to invite those who may be important to these discussions:
Thursday, May 11, 2017 - Conference Center Entertainment and Lifestyle Interest, 10 a.m. to noon Dana Leuthauser, Creative Supervisor, [email protected], (909) 865-4506
Healthy Living and Sports, noon to 2 p.m. Michelle DeMott, Vice President, [email protected], (909) 865-4215
Thursday, June 15, 2017 – Sheraton Hotel Governance and Transparency 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Miguel A. Santana, President & CEO, [email protected], (909) 865-4201 Neighborhood, Housing, and Transportation, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tammy Roush, Community Advancement Manager, [email protected], (909) 865-4265 Thursday, September 14, 2017 – Sheraton Hotel Fair, noon to 2 p.m. Heather Tanji, Social Media Coordinator, [email protected],
(909) 865-4263
FAIRPLEX STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING Agriculture and Food April 13, 2017 Page 3 Mr. Santana stated that after the meetings are completed we will convene to review a draft of the Plan. He introduced Robin Engel, Consultant and facilitator of today’s meeting. Robin Engel stated that David Teig, Managing Director of Agriculture and Hospitality at Fairplex will make a presentation starting from our “roots”, to current activities, what is possible, and what can we do at Fairplex. We also have speakers from the industry to share their experiences with us. He stated that we have provided blank cards to get your feedback. We would like you to write down every idea you like…, love that…, glad Fairplex does that, hate that, want less of that, etc. Your notes will be collected at the end of the meeting and are attached (Attachment I) as part of the minutes of this meeting. You have also been given a Post Meeting Evaluation Form to be turned in after the meeting, and David’s business card has been provided as well so you can contact him directly. You also have the option to give your feedback online at our website: www.fairplex.com/ceo. This will enable anyone unable to attend the meetings, or anyone interested in following the strategic process to remain informed. All materials, briefings, research, notes and minutes will be posted as well. He noted to feel free to forward this information to anyone interested. David Teig presented Fairplex’ foundation of agriculture stating that the Fair started out as a beet and barley field, a half-mile racetrack and a grandstand. From the beginning we have celebrated agriculture and culturally diverse foods. The original farm was 1/3 acre and was expanded, due to a special block grant, to five acres and is now operating year-round. We have two experiential community events showcasing agriculture, a permanent farm animal exhibit, a farm field trip program serving over 2,000 students annually, and during the Fair features over 750 animals. He presented a power-point presentation which can be reviewed by clicking this link. David Teig introduced the panel of speakers emphasizing their importance in helping participants understand trends and learn about relevant programs in order to inspire discussion about potential future projects and initiatives at Fairplex. Speaker: Craig Walters, AGRIscapes Director, Cal Poly Pomona who will tie into the education component. Mr. Walters stated that he is a La Verne resident and grew up going to the Fair and had worked in different areas of the Fair. He stated that it is heartening that emphasis is coming back in agriculture and noted that it will be beneficial to Fairplex and the surrounding community. He stated that we used to be surrounded by farm land, in the 50’s, 30% of people lived on farms and there are only 2% today. He stated that L.A. County is the single largest producer of food. He stated AGRIscapes was created in 2001 as an Educational Outreach branch of the College of Agriculture at Cal Poly. It occupies 20 acres of farmland and facilities, has a Visitor Center, The Farm Store at Kellogg Ranch, which sells produce grown on campus along with other foods items, and a large greenhouse complex used for production and research. AGRIscapes hosts thousands of school field trips to our Children’s Garden and Petting Farm. The Children’s Garden teaches about healthy, tasty foods that can be grown at home is an influential part of nutrition education. It is designed as
FAIRPLEX STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING Agriculture and Food April 13, 2017 Page 4 a “Learn by Doing” environment through sponsored student enterprise projects. Using the latest in technology, students have the opportunity to learn everything about food production from start to finish. This year they are launching an expanded program of field trips themed Spring on the Farm. Thousands of adults and children come to the Fall Pumpkin Patch field trips which offer over 50,000 pumpkins. He stated that virtual reality is no reality and people need to see results of hard work as well as the nutritional component. Agriculture is a desirable field to go into with many opportunities. It is important to expose children to gardening and animals, at a young age, there are so many ways to participate in Agriculture. Speaker: Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos. Lam stated that he was born in a farm town in Brazil. He started the business in 1988 with his brothers. He stated that their menu was the first to provide calorie, protein, carbs, and fat content that now is mandated. He stated that their fish tacos were derived from deep fried version in Mexico but offered a healthful grilled fish rather than deep fried, reflecting their upbringing in Southern California and Brazilian background. He stated that in recent years consumers have opted for more healthful foods and are prepared with fresh ingredients. Speaker: Ken Weekes, General Manager, L.A. Kitchen. The L.A. Kitchen works directly with local farmers and wholesale companies to reclaim fruits and vegetables that would otherwise be discarded, leading the charge against food waste. Training men and women who are unemployed for jobs, and providing healthy meals to fellow citizens. These programs are Impact L.A., Empower L.A. and Strong Food Impact L.A. cultivates, recruits, and engages volunteers from diverse age groups, cultural communities, diverse backgrounds and life experiences to help transform raw fruits and vegetables into fresh, nutritious, meals and snacks. Empower L.A. is a culinary 14-week job training program that provides opportunities for employment in the foodservice industry. Intergenerational engagement is a core component of the Volunteer Program where older adults and young people work side-by- side connecting through meaningful dialogue with trainees and graduates of L.A. Kitchen’s Empower program. Strong Food – L.A. Kitchen’s social enterprise, contracts with non-profit social service agencies, City and County government, universities and other institutions to provide high-quality meals, snacks and food products. Facilitator Robin Engel thanks the speakers and opened discussion stating that we are interested in hearing from you. Your reaction to the presentations, how Fairplex can promote growth in the area of Agriculture and Food, current trends and practices, new innovations to share, how to connect things, and what resonated with you.
FAIRPLEX STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING Agriculture and Food April 13, 2017 Page 5 OPEN COMMENTS/ DISCUSSION The following reflects a summary of participant discussion:
Nice cross-section today, how it relates to Fairplex, what Fairplex can become. Build out. During the Fair how to integrate transition of healthy food to Fair, regional thing. Create crazy good, crazy fun food contest with cool ingredients like a “food show”. Bring to the
Fair make it fun. This is regional not just L.A. County, include San Bernardino County. Food recovering, look
toward L.A. Kitchen. Partner with Cal Poly. Develop a community garden that teaches adults and kids about Urban Ag Provide an area for residents to grow their own food where they may not be able to at
home. Glad that there is dialog to create opportunities to communicate healthy eating. Educate: unprocessed food, good carbs, quality protein, less sugar, trans fat. Teach people how to start a community garden in their neighborhood. Improve access to food: 1 in 10 American are diabetic, 11 out of 10 are pre-diabetic, 2/3 of
adults are overweight. Since 1980 childhood obesity rates have tripled. Poverty means low quality carbs, lack of fresh vegetables and protein.
There is a rapid growth in diabetes, breast cancer, etc., more education / awareness needed on how healthy foods improve outcomes in healthcare. We need to teach not only growing healthy food but how to prepare healthy foods.
Pleased with the direction, and the community garden aspect. Connect/collaborate with community gardens, Ex. Whittier Narrows and San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps.
Create a map of all community gardens, Fair as a hub for community gardens. Educate people in the community, make a documentary on YouTube.
Lifestyle coach. Eat healthy, how to make healthy meals, more fresh produce needed, bring diverse food programs and with the changing demographics consider providing bilingual programs.
Likes direction, dialog, and helpful feedback. Stewardship with experienced partner in agriculture. $40 million in food & beverage sales. Invest profits in agriculture and education programs. Community taking things out of moderation. L.A. Kitchen, fine line with homelessness, negative issues. See a lot of residents needing
help. One in five of our residents are living below poverty – we need to feed our own youth, this is an opportunity to help our own community.
Healthy ingredients are lacking in the Inland Empire to put healthy and organic food on the table. Collaborate with food distributors and food hubs. Possibly have Fairplex be the center hub for distribution. Locally produced.
Millenniums look at food as a moral issue. Fair and Fairplex not being seen as moral “toxic food” - not healthy. Need to eat in moderation, but to showcase good agriculture and to sell the worst–case of food is hard to handle. How to curb bad choices.
A key component is agriculture education before food goes on the plate. Important to educate people on benefits and negative impacts of trends like GMO, organic,
etc.
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Teach unbiased information on food products. Search beyond resources, show how food is produced. California has the safest food supply in the world due to higher regulations.
Fairplex is able, not reinvent the wheel. Systemic health impact for obesity, diabetes. Educate children, instill at all school levels, the importance of a healthy prospective.
Share through hospitals, schools, local growth products. Mt. SAC campus has a working farm. Reach out through teacher – back to the classroom.
Students bring projects, start to learn 3rd-4th grade about plants, water, food, nutrition. Students working with Fairplex is the best kept secret in the Valley.
Consider educating CTEC high school, college, after school. Offer free credits. $1 million in funding needed to keep going. Water technology.
Incongruity big problem, fried food challenging, $40 million cash cow. Consider cost of food vendor, not all manufacturers carry healthy products. The fair
industry is not there. Sysco is the supplier, have to pre-order by 4pm day before. People like new and exciting options. You can have new and different but keep some traditions.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes a successful garden with hands on farming healthy food. Mobile program. With the abundance of lost produce, is there a role for Fairplex to utilize local fallen fruit.
Facilitator Robin Engel stated that there are a lot of voices to shape a vision here today. He asked that the cards and Post Meeting Evaluations be returned. The Education, Craftsmanship and The Arts session will follow with Thomas Canavan, Program Manager for The Learning Centers at Fairplex. Miguel Santana stated “What are the goals for a successful meeting?” Create a space where you can collaborate and imagine, be inspired by community leaders really successful meetings will unearth hidden challenges. Need to be honest, with no risk. You can say, “I like what you do, but here are my concerns.” He reviewed his notes with the audience and shared some of the concerns brought forward today:
- Concept of being year-round and Fair - Healthy outcomes, how we continue - Promote home gardens, include tool kit. - Diverse communication, not everyone speaks English - Respect environment - Respect way community is impacted by how we do things. - Unbiased resource - Going back to roots - Be mindful that volunteer hours contribute to the mission - Job readiness - Adaptive transition, trade off… corn dog to kale. - Being honest about sacred cow. - Stay true to tradition - Role in this day to day lives - How to minimize waste from neighborhood fruit trees
FAIRPLEX STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING Agriculture and Food
April 13, 2017
ATTACHMENT I PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK
Notecards were collected from participants at today’s meeting. The following includes all of the feedback provided on the notecards as well as Post Meeting Online Responses: QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
1. A hub for community gardens and healthy lifestyles – I really like the hub concept. 1. Love that focus is on:
- Healthy lifestyle and food choices, nutrition - Farmer’s market, food exchange - Catalyst for economic growth - L.A. Kitchen, “potential partner” - “Clearing House” for excess produce in the area, a place to donate and distribute
2. Don’t like: - Unhealthy food choice sold, so much “Toxic Food”
3. Reminder: Please include CTEC when talking about Fairplex programs related to agriculture, food, future…
- Hospitality Program - Horticulture Program - Culinary Program
1. Perhaps shaping the categories for entry, or demonstrations to have more emphasis on healthy things could be implemented. Also, development of recipes and entries to support a mission of health and nutrition!
1. Food and Nutrition Education: - Unprocessed Food - Good Carbs - Quality Protein - Less Sugar - Trans Fat
2. Access to food - 1 in 10 Americans are diabetic, 11/10 are pre-diabetic, 2/3 of adults are
overweight - Since 1980 childhood obesity rates have tripled - Poverty means low quality carbs, lack of fresh vegetables and protein.
3. Could we develop a community garden that: - Teaches adults and kids about urban agriculture? - Allows area residents to grow their own food where they may not be able to at
home. - Teaches people how to start their own community garden in their neighborhood?
Their churches? - Provides quality food to those in need?
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1. I love: - Farm Store - Food Exchange - Involvement of 4H and FFA – return of livestock auction. - Engage local community – Community garden - Food business incubator - Infrastructure improvement to better host community learning about agricultural
production - “Table to Farm” experience for kids - Vertical gardening systems and vegetable landscaping – could this be a skill
taught and programming developed in local schools? - Respect for the Fair’s food traditions - Concern about food waste, especially the abundance of homeowners with fruit
trees 2. I hate:
- Worry about the homeless gaining access - Concern about “toxic” food at the Fair - Concern about $40 million in revenue from food and beverage business
1. Would like to see: - Engage people and Fairplex on Farm
Cooking healthy & lots of types of meals: practical, fresh, nutritious, all ages/ethnicities
- Farm App - Daily Recipes - Food Exchange - Involvement of 4H and FFA – return of livestock auction. - Farm dinners for all
Real food you would cook and serve and alcohol o Cost effective so can get families, friends, multiple generations to
farm (lunch, breakfast, dinner) - Cross generation and events for families to learn to have fun on farm - Garden Education
Various sizes
Instructions “how to” – Spring, Summer Winter, Fall. How to use and preserve/save.
Fruit trees, vegetables, fruits - Honest Broker on food education - Group food prep events for busy families to make fresh meals for the family for a
week or a few days. - Engage trained high school and college students to volunteer in teaching
Train the Trainer and use their growing knowledge to teach back
1. Minority communities are very likely not able to access healthy and organic food because of costs. The Ag & Food focus should also have a
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way to connect w/the Fairplex, get the educational benefits but mostly be able to access the produce.
1. Connect & collaborate w/community gardens. Showcase various community gardens throughout our region.
2. Showcase future/best practice for agrarian methods such as hydroponic growing w/fish (Aquaculture)
3. Demonstration kitchens – Farm 2 Table concept 4. Mural Art! Reflecting culture, food-family and fun. 5. Share stories w/ social media, Story Corps model 6. Connect community to regional leaders. Social media murals, maps, stories 7. Community mapping (Gardens, Farms, Farmer’s Markets) – Connect-Collaborate-Share-
Serve-Inspire 8. Emergency Disaster Readiness
- Food Mapping, Gardens, Farms, Households 9. How is food produced – Origins 10. Adaptive transformation 1. Good Start and lots of ideas to broaden in the future “Yes, many hidden issues…” 1. Nostalgic tinged tradition balanced with the new, exciting and innovative 2. Fairplex is a central hub and destination for entertainment and learning 1. Enjoyed guest speakers 2. Great idea of community garden exhibit and mapping out local community garden
locations 3. Educate community on better eating habits 4. Partnering up with local food agencies and collaborate in bringing programs to Fairplex.
Featuring those partners during Fairtime that will promote partnership, showcasing partners (i.e. LA Kitchen, Homebuy Industries) who produces and manufactures bread, tortilla chips, pastries
1. Use local or celebrity chefs to drive traffic to the Farm kitchen area during the Fair. 2. Pair local craft brewers to drive traffic to the Farm area. 3. Do food contests in the Farm area, where people eat something healthy instead of a pie
eating contest. 4. Healthy food demonstrations 1. Create a community mapping system to pin point land use areas for potential
community gardens – churches, organizations, etc. 2. Get households in that mapping system that have fruit trees that are willing to
participate donating the fruit to the Fairplex community 1. Love the idea about experiencing agriculture in an urban environment 2. My only concern is the type of food available at the Fair. How would you promote
healthy life styles (w/locally grown food), when you have a Fair that sells unhealthy food? 3. Ideas & Suggestions: Your goal is to provide a diverse foods, and that’s great. 4. The educational programs about food & nutrition provide a great balance to teach
people, but have you thought about bringing programs that are bilingual? Especially with the changing demographics in our area.
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1. From reading the community impact report, I see that many students are being education on agriculture through field trips and tours. That’s great! But is there any way the impact is being measured? Is there an indirect effect on kids’ attitudes & beliefs toward healthy foods? Of course, one can’t expect these education programs to have a direct impact on health behaviors, but are the education programs having any impact on kid’s attitudes toward healthy foods? If you have a technical reports, evaluation studies, or anything of the sort, I would love to learn more. Thank you!
1. Food competition 2. Corridor clean up 3. Crazy Healthy - Crazy Good! 4. Emphasis on Fun Foods 1. Book Recommendations:
- The Communication Scarcity in Agriculture, by Jessica Eise and Whitney Hodde - Local Food Systems, Concepts, Impacts, and Issues, USDA Publication
1. Love: - Farmer’s Market - Community Resource for community gardens - Variety of food choices at the Fair – healthy/fresh, (also culturally diverse) Fried,
junk and everything in between - Ag, Ed and Nutrition Source year-round
2. Dislike: - Biased education that favors organic and anti-animal AG. Tell the whole truth
1. One theme that I did not hear during the comment section was the concept of time. Education, health, and accessibility are all great ideas, but many of the families in this city and surrounding cities are working class families. Many parents and even adults w/o children are busy working. How can we reach that specific group and make these potential future programs worthwhile to them w/o taking too much time out of their day/week/month, etc?
1. Glad to hear that 4-H and FFA are a part of the discussion. It is time to bring them back to the Fair.
2. Idea for food at Fair – have each city come up with recipes that best represent their city – could be a food competition. Each entry would need to have a story about why it represents their city and celebrates their history.
1. Increasing awareness of Ag-careers during the Fair Kids, CTEC, or other opportunities. 2. Maybe create a Jr. Ag Board at Fairplex. 1. I Like:
- The food (produce) sharing venue idea. 1. I would like to see the Fair be more active in the Health Initiative which is part of
Pomona’s Promise Collective Impact. 2. Making healthy eating and food production be part of the Fair programming is a
fantastic vision with hundreds of opportunities. 1. I am in favor of maximizing year-round fairgrounds use. 2. Gardening & Food preparation are wonderful programs. 3. I really like the idea of having cooking show type events. 4. Being a regional educational resource about food is perfect.
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1. Rather than duplicating any educational programs act as a regional hub to bring those programs together and establish strategic partnerships with them. By regional I mean Inland Empire in addition to LA County.
1. Thanks for having L.A. Kitchen swing by! We’ve been following them. 2. Count team Pappas Artisanal in for helping spearhead similar efforts at the Fairplex
campus! 1. Love that:
- Nutritional classes for youth. - Agriculture education - Understanding food production industry. - How can we use urban fruit, nut, etc. produce from yards into use? - Network with home, community, school gardens.
2.. Hate That: - Too much deep fried, fried, food, or at least too much focus on that. - Perhaps too many alcohol outlets during the Fair!
1. Pomona is a HEAL city. Fairplex should be more included in that and Pomona’s Promise Health Initiative.
1. Suggestions/Looking forward to: - Incorporate more animal education/awareness programs - Give more discussions/teachings on organic vs. GMO - Educate more about humane treatment of animals ex. free range chicken and
non-antibiotic benefits - Please continue and rush plans for Farmers Market - During Fairtime off different variety of food ex. Fruit bowls, kale chips
2. Dislike: - During Fairtime – offer smaller portion food items - Don’t charge vendors so much so they can keep their prices down.
1. Lot of creative ways to make healthy foods fun and tasty – focus on that (year-round) (a Place!
2. Do not make food a moral stand!! Make it a teachable moment. 3. Fair Related – Food Competitions:
- Change up traditional competitions (Crazy Healthy-Crazy Good). Emphasis on really fun and unusual Fair foods that are crazy healthy as well.
- Introduction to new tastes and diverse foods. - Disagree with trying to make food a moral cause! Enough of that the rest of the
year with it making a stand at a Fair! Too many things being labeled “toxic”, unhealthy, (but not evil) fairs are supposed to be fun!
1. Grow pumpkins and sell in October 2. Feed seniors, the homeless, schools 3. Distribution center for region – produce information source for agriculture in general,
unbiased information on farming practices that are healthy. 4. Assist home-growers to put excess Ag crops to productive use. (Organize scout troops
to collect?)
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1. Hands on classes where kids (and adults) can make their own food (like pizza) and pick the veggies and herbs is an amazing idea! People need to understand where their food comes from!
2. Yes, the Fair needs some healthy options. I go to the Fair 90% of the days it is open, and it does get hard after the first week to continue to try different, healthy options. That being said, I have friends from Boston who have plans to visit every September to see what new crazy food options they can try. There needs to be a balance!
1. Perhaps of creating a “Hydroponic Garden: similar to one in Anaheim that sells at low cost to under-served populations in our area.
2. Expand the Farm at Fairplex year-round as a restaurant and as a farm fresh store. 3. Are we interfacing with the California Restaurant Association? 4. I see the Fairplex as a future leader in food production, distribution and preparation.
The Fairplex should be “the” go to resource for all things food related. 1. Healthy ingredients, classes in food preparation. 2. Year-round classes at the Farm and food growing. 3. How to start community garden. 1. Like/More of:
- Supporting local small business. - Supporting and developing local food entrepreneurs. - Working with youth and local education providers creating a pipeline around
agricultural and technology – job preparedness/readiness. 2. Ideas:
- Creating a social enterprise to support/create job/career opportunities. Ex. Farm Store, food exchange.
- Farmer’s Markets - Alessa Galvan, L.A. County Workforce Development Aging Community Services .
[email protected]. (213) 507-3444. 1. Obviously healthy food is needed at the Fair and other year-round events. I know it’s
been tried and I’ve heard “there is no demand”. But we need to let guests know where to find it. We miss the opportunity to educate guests about food if it’s an afterthought and hard to find.
2. Education is central to Fairplex and traditionally competitions are a great tool for individuals to further their learning. The slide for Ag competitions is found on commercial enterprises. Need to work with Silvia Bishop & 44th DAA. To expand our Ag competitions at the Fair to individuals.
1. Like the idea of a Farmer’s Market or food exchange. 2. Think we could expand school field trips to the Farm. 3. Suggest that Spectra sell ice tea as an alternative to sugared drinks. (Very hard to find
during the Fair.) 4. The Fair has lost many of the “mom and pop” vendors. Could be a sign of the times but
could rates be restructured to attract a greater variety of smaller food vendors? 1. Nutritional options during the Fair is great, but we still need the “junk” food, as well as,
the return of the “mom and pop” food vendors.
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2. HOORAY! Expansion of the Farm Field Trips to include nutrition is vital. Too many kids have no concept of where food comes from, nor do they know what healthy food is.
1. Agriculture has to be the center focus. It must be promoted and marketed with integrity and respect so people who don’t understand it get to know it and to be able to embrace the benefits and give it the support it needs to continue to feed the world.
2. Agriculture is not cheap. To be able to provide ongoing programs, which are meaningful and sustainable, the funding must be there. I believe the time is right for Fairplex, in collaboration with local municipalities, to investigate the idea of a local Bond Measure.
1. Long Beach City College is an example of how a local bond measure can benefit this situation for the past six year, with the help of Cordoba Engineering Corp, have passed TWO $1.6 billion dollar bonds. The driver was the requirement for LBCC to meet the MS4 Storm Water permitting requirements. A state of the art water treatment facility was put into operation, underground on campus and in turn the college and community have received many benefits. Fairplex is the perfect entity to duplicate this effort. Cordoba Corp. designed and administered the project and bond and would be the go to resource Fairplex may establish a relationship.
1. The Farm at Fairplex would be an awesome place to start a beginning farmer’s program for urban enterprises. California Farm academy – Center for Land - based learning – great resource.
2. Shipping container operations. - Mushrooms and Lettuce/Greens
3. Do research symposiums for community to hear about recent research from grad students
4. Community Education – Partner with Rural Ag Programming (RFDTV). 5. Affordable Farm to Fork Dinners. 6. Premiere documentaries and movies related to agriculture and water and have
community conversations around the topic: - The Last Crop - Deeply Rooted: John Coykendall’s Journey To Save Our Seeds and Stories - Soil - Farmland - King Corn - California Water - Killing the Colorado
7. University of Georgia – Georgia Farm Bureau. Great model for incubator kitchen for value-added product development for small farms and Ag producers. Very beneficial to an up and coming Urban Ag community in L.A. County and surrounding counties.
8. Annual competitions for 4H and FFA groups and/or youth in Ag – outside of Fairtime. - Judging workshops for livestock. - Ag Days - Showmanship Workshops - Clinics from Professionals
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10. Fairtime: - Taste of the Farm Days by County, small farms or producers from Ex. San Diego,
LA, Inland Empire can show of the products they’ve developed from the products they’ve grown/produced.
11. Local Roots: - Awesome project growing greens and lettuce out of an aquaponic/hydroponic
system in a shipping container. Servicing local restaurants and retail establishments. Perfect set up for Fairplex.
- Provide farm safety, food safety, and business development education for Ag enterprises.
12. Annual Small Farms Conference 2018 – be the venue. 13. Cal Poly Pomona, College of Agriculture 14. Good resources:
- Dr. Aaron Fox; Dr. Eileen Cullen, Dr. Steve Archambault – Urban Ag Program, Agribusiness
- Dr. David Still, Still lab expert on breeding & genetics, GMO’s. 15. Water conferences. 16. Develop a relationship with organization in Ag:
- Trade Organizations - Commodity Groups - Small Farms Conference - Farm Bureaus - State and National Level Farm Bureaus - National Farmers Union - California Cattlemen’s and Cattlewomen’s Assn. - Ag in the Classroom - CDFA - USDA - CA Farmlink
17. Offer as venue to these groups for meetings, conference, forums, etc. 18. USDA Ag – Marketing Value-Added program. Offer workshops to local producers on
how to create value-added options and get funding. 19. California is the #1 producer in 10-commoditia. We are the #1 Dairy State in the
nation. We provide the nation over 75% of their fruits, vegetables and nuts. If you looked around L.A. or most of CA you’d never know it. Connecting the public to this information is vital when it comes to needing advocacy and support locally and legislatively. Fairplex would be a great center for promoting this.
1. Ag Education: 48th DAA, (909) 274-2433, Schools Ag & Nutrition Fair.
Fairplex Strategic Planning Meeting Agriculture and Food Attachment to the Minutes of April 13, 2017 Page 9 POST MEETING ONLINE RESPONSES: How do you see Fairplex contributing with agriculture programs in the future?
- I think Fairplex is moving in a good direction with Agriculture and getting back to its farm roots.
- By educating the public about agriculture, by incubating food producers, by showcasing food products.
- Year-round center for agricultural education. - Fairplex can become a hub for the eastern end of the San Gabriel Valley for community
agriculture, food programs, and teaching how to eat better. - By making “agriculture” the most important aspect of any program. There were a lot of
nutrition advocates who spoke which is a great thing, but without protecting and advocating for Ag, there is no nutrition or anything else. No farms , no food. I think as an educational venue or place, nutrition education, as well as other classes, will be great but I think to address nutritional concerns one needs to know how to grow or produce their own food first. The Farm at Fairplex is unique and well placed to teach people how to produce food in small places which serve the surrounding population well.
- The general population needs to be exposed to agriculture, the value of it, and to get educated. By 2050, we will need to produce the most food we ever have in 10,000 years. The way food is produced and transported is changing every day which removes the general public from the farming experience. The Farm offer that glimpse.
- Although, FFA and 4H competitions are no longer held at the Fair, Fairplex would be well served including this community in its strategic plan. There are a lot of support programs for these groups that they don’t always get access to because of where we are located. Things like judging and showmanship workshops, animal care and management, entrepreneurial project development, business development, funding workshops, etc.
- Livestock judging, showmanship would be great for kids. Professional showmanship clinics.
- A 4H hub for groups from the surrounding communities to help support the creation of groups, projects, and culmination.
- I see Fairplex providing an educational platform where community experts can share their knowledge. I believe the produce swap would be a wonderful opportunity for the community to engage with each other, create friendships, memories, etc.
- Becoming an active community partner in all things green/sustainable future. Training and educational workshops? Outreach and community programing?
- How can Fairplex serve community needs through programs and events related to food/eating/education in the future?
- Connecting with both Cal Poly and Mt. SAC is important. But also connecting with minority communities and using their historical and direct connections with agriculture is key to the growth and support of the local community.
- By promoting healthy foods, by promoting sustainable food, by improving access to diverse foods, by promoting innovative cuisine, and by showcasing new foods trends.
FAIRPLEX STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING Agriculture and Food April 13, 2017 Page 10
- By promoting healthy foods, by promoting sustainable food, by improving access to diverse foods, by promoting innovative cuisine, and by showcasing new foods trends.
- Reaching out to schools promoting farm tours, workshops. - Fairplex can have classes and resources which serve the needs of all economic classes.
There will always be the high end farm to table dinners, but there can be classes in growing food and healthy eating on a budget, even a low income budget.
- Beginning farmer (in an urban setting) programs, food safety, and preparation. Food waste challenge and the beef and pork industry are big supporters of the initiative. One of the biggest issues in small Ag today is food safety and helping cottage producers understand the requirements is a huge benefit for them.
- Small engine repair or tractor repair classes would be awesome. With such an elaborate automotive program on-site something like this would be a great offering to the public. Tractor driving. How to drive a tractor classes, backyard poultry classes.
- I am not an expert, I am unsure if the Farm can solve childhood hunger in the community but providing hands on experience and education seems reasonable. Providing the products from harvest to some local shelters may allow the programs to redirect some of the food budget into another need such as career development.
- Promote concepts and ideals at the annual Fair. Partner with local community gardens. Encourage food trucks and vendors to serve healthy and GMO free foods.
FAIRPLEX STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING Agriculture and Food
April 13, 2017
ATTACHMENT II LIST OF INVITEES
Fairplex Strategic Planning Meeting Agriculture and Food Attachment to the Minutes of April 13, 2017 Following is a list of all invitees to the Fairplex Strategic Planning meetings. Even if they are unable to attend, all invitees will receive meeting minutes, invitations to future meetings and all documentation to support meeting discussions. In addition, all invitees are encouraged to send a representative in their place if they are unable to attend and to forward the invitation to those they feel may be important to this process. If you have additional community members you would like invited to upcoming meetings, please email their contact information to Juan Madrigal at [email protected]. Strategic Planning Steering Committee:
Ayala Benny Rep. Senator Connie Leyva
Coley Soraya President, Cal Poly
Engel Robin Consultant
Gonzales-Lawrence Ronald Rep. for Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez
Hamai Sachi A. CEO, County of Los Angeles
Hamilton Gary Rep. Soraya Coley, President Cal Poly
Horning Russell Rep. Hilda Solis, L.A. Board of Supervisors - District 4
Hsieh Tom Splinter Rock
Leyva Connie State of California Senate
Lowry Linda Pomona City Manager
Martinez Norma Rep. Hilda Solis, L.A. Board of Supervisors - District 4
Pinedo Cid LACFA Board
Rodriguez Freddie State of California Assembly
Sandoval Tim Mayor of Pomona
Santana Miguel Fairplex President & CEO
Scott Zazette Rep. Senator Connie Leyva
Solis Hilda Supervisor, County of Los Angeles
Torres Norma U.S. Congress
Torres Robert Pomona Council Member - District 6
LACF Association Members:
Bernstein Bernie Bernstein & Rathman
Bingham Elizabeth Minister, Pilgrim Congregational Church
Blancarte James Court Commissioner
Blickenstaff Jon Retired Educator
Bolding Ron Inter Valley Health Plan
Bollinger Laura Community Volunteer
Bosserman-Piatt Linda City of Hope Medical Group
Burwell Bob Retired PVHMC Administrator
Bush Bob Retired Media Group
Cable Chuck TLC Board/Retired Senior Living Administrator
Clifford Peter National Hot Rod Association
Coley Soraya Cal Poly
Crean Richard California Financial Partners
Dilley Scott Sanders Towing
Driebe Mike Methodist Hospital Foundation
Dukes Robert Superior Court Judge
Eggert Robert Retired, So. California Gas Company
Espinoza Jimmy Inland Investment Partners
Fairley Jeff Body Center Physical Therapy
Felton John Retired Bank Manager
Fox Bill William Fox Group
Galleano Don Galleano Winery
Gallegos Heidi Brea Chamber of Commerce
Gamboa Juan Coldwell Banker
Gutierrrez Jimmy Chino City Attorney
Gutierrrez Phillip U.S. District Court Judge
Hanawalt Roger Dentist
Hanson Heidi Rain Bird International
Harris Jennetta Minister
Hsieh Tom Splinter Rock
Hyland Sue Claremont Club
Johnson Molly Retired Work Group Administrator
Keagle Linda C & C Organization
Kendrick Don Kendrick Real Estate
Kersting Chris Specialty Equipment Market Association
La Bounty Hugh Retired Educator
Landherr John A-Z Bus Sales, Inc.
Leier Patrick Educational Management Consultant
Lieberman Devorah University of La Verne
Loverso Felice Casa Colina
Loza Christina Loza & Loza
Ludwick Art TLC Board
Lyman Kevin 4-Fini
Manning Dan Coca Cola
Martinez Richad Pomona Unified School District
Melendez Thelma Los Angeles Unified School District
Mendez Robert Attorney & Adjunct Professor
Miller Karen Retired Athletic Director
Morris April Retired Architect
Nuss Tom Retired Superior Court Judge
Ortiz Michael Retired President, Cal Poly
Patronite Iris Consultant, The Organizational Network.
Paulson Jan Retired VP, Nursing Services, PVHMC
Piatt James Retired, Superior Court Judge
Pinedo Cid Hope Through Housing
Rinehart Larry Retired Bank President
Rodriguez Rodri Rodri Entertainment Group
Smith Michael Retired Attorney
Solomon John Liquorama Fine Wine
Stark Jil Retired College Educator
Stark Jeff Fukagawa, Stark & Associates
Stutzman Royce Vincente, Lloyd & Stutzman
Su Ben Prosperity Wealth Management Group Inc.
Terrell Emmett Pomona Unified School District
Tessier Ed JEVED Management
Thomas Gary Retired Facility Dir., HCC Industries
Todd John R. Todd Memorial Chapel
Todd John W. President, Todd Memorial Chapel
Vera Ron Vera & Barbosa
Warren Mark Warren Realty and Investments
Webb Kiana Webb Family Enterprises
Webb Reggie Webb Family Enterprises
Yochum Richard Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center
Community:
Allred Jeff San Gabriel Valley Partnership
Annett Curtis Inland News Group
Atwater John Senior Planner (Retired)
Ballantyne Michelle Chino Community Committee
Brooks Beth Fairplex Friends Community Group
Brooks Mary Fairplex Friends Community Group
Caceres Victor Boys & Girls Club
Campbell Stephanie Bright Prospect
Cortez Sally Fairplex Friends Community Group
Dale James Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center
Davis Karen Glendora Community Committee
Ebenkamp Lynne Rowland Heights Committee
Faull Chris Fairplex Friends Community Group
Frausto Erica Pomona Chamber of Commerce
Garcia Frank Past President, Pomona Chamber of Commerce
George Gary City of Chino
Haughey Karen Chino Community Committee
Heintz Pamela Fairplex Friends Community Group
Hemming Carolynn Downtown Pomona Owners Association
Henderson Anne Community
Keagle Linda Upland Community Committee
Keating Jeff Western University
Koach Diane San Dimas Community Committee
Krohn Darren Fairplex Friends Community Group
Larson Robbie Neighbor
Larson Jerry Neighbor
Lesser Pete Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center
Loehr Karen Fairplex Friends Community Group
McClung Valerie Chino Hills Community Committee
Mesa Fernando Pomona Unified School District
Neal Anne La Verne Community Committee
Neely Norma Jean Fairplex Friends Community Group
Newton Pat Fairplex Friends Community Group
Nichols Erica Elysian
Parnell Bill Neighbor
Perez David Valley Vista Services
Perlman Roberta Pomona School Board
Robinson Sid Upland Community Committee
Ruiz Juanita Fairplex Friends Community Group
Scroggins William Mt. San Antonio College
Session Katrina Fairplex Friends Community Group
Shannon Henry Chaffey College
Sparling Fred Glendora Community Committee
St. John Judith Neighbor
Stark Jeff Claremont Community Committee
Swearingen Syd Neighbor
Swearingen Lynn Neighbor
Tanaka Jack Diamond Bar Community Committee
Tharpe Sam Neighbor
Thomas Daniel Fairplex Friends Community Group
Unaka Oliver Pomona Unified School District
Vander Molen Ron Neighbor
Vaniman Jeff Pomona Community Committee
Willison Sharon Fairplex Friends Community Group
Neighbors: Over 400 neighbors were notified via letter Fairplex Staff: All Fairplex employees were invited. Website: www.fairplex.com/ceo. In addition the Strategic Planning Website includes an open invitation to all who want to attend.