A salute to agriculture

Assemblymember Marie Waldron

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At the San Diego County Farm Bureau’s annual celebration, I was proud to present Ken Altman with an Assembly Resolution honoring him as "Farmer of the Year." As owner of Altman Plants, the largest nursery in the United States, located right here in the 75th Assembly District, Ken has been active in California agriculture for decades. He represents the best of San Diego agriculture. His service includes the Dean’s Advisory Committee for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and the San Diego County Farm Bureau Executive Committee, with two years as president.

Committed to his employees and the environment, Ken Altman provides for employee growth through continuing education and internal training, including scholarships to employees and their families. Altman Plants’ environmental commitment is ongoing. The company relies on solar panels to power its Texas facility, and 250 million gallons of water is recycled each year at its Riverside facility.

San Diego County leads the country in nursery crops and avocados, we’re fifth in lemons, ninth in strawberries, 10th in egg-laying hens. We’re number one in part-time farmers and small family farms, number two in farms operated by women. San Diego is the 19th most productive farm county in the nation.

But California agriculture faces monumental issues, including drought and wildfires. This session, I authored legislation to restore Lake Wohlford Dam to its full capacity, and I will continue to advocate for additional water storage and conveyance in the state budget. I also secured almost $3 million to fund local fire districts in rural North County to help ensure this region’s farms and surrounding communities are safe from wildfires.

As an Assemblymember representing one of the nation’s leading agricultural counties, I am proud to recognize outstanding leaders like Ken Altman. I will continue to do all I can to encourage and support California agriculture.