The Capital Region Achieves a Major Clean Air Standard
We talk a lot about “playing the long game,” but rarely are we around to see the fruits of decades of labor by multiple generations of leaders.
For decades through long-standing partnerships, the Capital region’s leaders, led by our five local air districts – Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Feather River Air Quality Management District and El Dorado County Air Quality Management District – in collaboration with communities, health nonprofits, environmental advocates and industry representatives, have worked diligently and persistently in cleaning the air for the benefit of all communities.
On August 21, 2025 in Folsom, CA, our local air districts and other regional leaders joined Congresswoman Doris Matsui and former U.S. EPA Region 9 Administrator, Joshua F.W. Cook, to celebrate a major air quality achievement. The Sacramento region met the 2008 8-hour Ozone standard by the 2024 attainment date. Meeting this air quality standard means our communities get to breathe cleaner air and our region will continue to receive federal support and funding. Read the press release here.
The air quality in the Capital region, which includes Yolo, Solano, Yuba, Sutter, Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties, is geographically impacted by a combination of surrounding mountains, plenty of sunshine, wind patterns and thermal air inversions, making the region dangerously vulnerable to high levels of air pollution. An inversion layer is a layer of warm air trapping cooler air underneath, effectively acting as a lid, trapping pollutants near the ground in the Sacramento valley. Moreover, mountain ranges surrounding the region create a natural barrier, preventing horizontal air movement, which contributes to inversion layers. Meanwhile, the Capital region is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state of California. According to our region’s metropolitan planning organization for land use and transportation, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, the region is projected to add an additional 580,000 residents by the year 2050 (SACOG 2025 Blueprint). Therefore, the Capital region must accommodate population growth through increasing housing production and increasing investments in transportation and utility infrastructure and will have to do so in a way that will also help to manage the challenges that come with rapid growth such as congestion, pollution, and other public service impacts.
The Capital region’s historical and projected population growth, in combination with its unique topography, will continue to impact air quality, public health and economic growth, especially in our most vulnerable communities. Due to these varying reasons, the Capital region must continue to prioritize and implement strategies and programs that help curb emissions alongside a growing population. If left unregulated, growing emissions from gas and diesel vehicles, heavy equipment that supports multiple industries, including agriculture and logistics and transportation, building and construction, and open burning and wildfire smoke, will endanger millions of people and wildlife and exhaust human and financial resources. For example, air pollution results in significant healthcare costs. Air pollution causes an estimated 107,000 premature deaths annually, and each American pays $2,500 in extra medical costs every year due to air pollution. These numbers contribute to a staggering total of $820 billion in U.S. healthcare costs due to air pollution, according to a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (Health Costs From Climate Change, 2021). Therefore, it is imperative that the Capital region’s leaders, along with communities, public health non-profits, environmental advocates, and industry representatives, work together to advocate for and implement programs and policies to promote cleaner air, protect community health and advance economic growth. Cleaner air for current and future generations is a responsibility that is shared by leaders and advocates in our region.
The Basics: Ozone Overview and Impacts to Public Health
Ozone molecules are present at both atmospheric and ground-level. Ozone that naturally occurs in the atmosphere serves as a protective layer that shields people from harmful UV rays from the sun. In contrast, ozone at the ground-level, commonly known as smog, is harmful to people and the environment. Ground-level ozone worsens asthma, irritates lungs, and can trigger chest pain, breathing difficulty and cough, particularly for sensitive populations. In our region, ground-level ozone or smog comes from a variety of sources, including gas vehicles, factories, chemical and industrial plants, gas stations and household paints, lawn mowers, barbecues, fire pits and fireplaces, and nearby wildfires. Read more about ground-level ozone basics here.
Guided by the federal Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to set and regularly review air quality standards or National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for five other common criteria air pollutants that are present in outdoor air and are harmful to public health and environment: Carbon Monoxide (CO), Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Lead (Pb), and Sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Regions that have been designated “in attainment” by the EPA have levels of these pollutants at or below the national ambient air quality standards. Regions that do not meet the national ambient air quality standards are designated as “nonattainment areas”. The Sacramento region or Sacramento Federal Nonattainment Area (SFNA), which includes all of Sacramento and Yolo counties and portions of Placer, El Dorado, Sutter and Solano counties, was classified as a “severe nonattainment” area for the 1997 8-hour NAAQS of 84 parts per billion (ppb) for ozone. Then again, in 2008, the EPA designated the region as a severe nonattainment area for the revised 8-hour Ozone standard of 75 ppb (Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District), and was required by the EPA to meet the national standard for ozone by the end of 2024. Due to this designation of nonattainment, the region was at risk of a transportation funding pause and more stringent restrictions for businesses in the region, which would delay our progress in improving air quality, public health and economic growth.
In response, the region’s air districts developed the Sacramento Regional 8-hour Ozone Attainment and Reasonable Further Progress Plan in 2013 to detail how the region would meet the 1997 8-hour standard, which was approved by the EPA in 2015. Then, in 2017, the districts submitted the Sacramento Regional 2008 NAAQS 8-Hour Ozone Attainment and RFP Plan showing how the area would meet the more stringent 2008 ozone standard, which EPA largely approved in 2021. The plans detail how existing and new control strategies would provide the necessary future emission reductions to meet the federal Clean Air Act requirements for reasonable further progress and attainment of the 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the Sacramento region, as well as an updated emissions inventory and new motor vehicle emission budgets for transportation. Simply put, the plans document how the air districts and CARB would implement existing and new control strategies to meet the standards by the required deadlines. For example, the plans include strategies to regulate businesses such as industrial facilities or factories and transportation control measures to reduce emissions from on-road and off-road vehicles and equipment. Learn more about the two types of air quality plans that the districts must prepare and update in order to meet and maintain compliance with federal and state air quality standards, here.
Ozone standards are health based standards and achieving them is important to lessen health impacts to our communities. Pollution especially affects seniors, children, pregnant people, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, the unhoused populations, and outdoor workers. As a result, these air pollution impacts from ground-level ozone and the other five criteria air pollutants put further strain on our healthcare systems through increasing hospital visits and care from respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Air pollution also disrupts human and natural resource productivity, through crop and ecosystem damage, and increasing the need for infrastructure repair, which impacts local and state resources. According to the EPA, air pollution impacts physical infrastructure through degradation of materials such as concrete and coatings on buildings, bridges, roads, freeways and ports as a consequence of global warming events – more frequent and intense storms, flooding and extreme heat (Climate Change Impacts on Transportation). Attaining standards offers multiple benefits to communities not only through improved air quality and public health outcomes, but also helps businesses avoid additional regulatory requirements, and strengthens eligibility for current and future transportation and infrastructure funding.
Strength in Numbers and Partners: 2008 Ozone Standards Met By 2024 Deadline
“This achievement reflects years of hard work by local communities, businesses, and air agencies, made possible through strong partnerships at all levels of government. While reaching attainment is a proud moment, we’re not stopping here. We remain committed to advancing innovative projects and programs to meet cleaner air quality standards, which will protect our children and hard-working families for generations to come.”
Eric Guerra – California Air Resources Board of Director, Sacramento Region Air Districts
The region’s five local air districts developed plans and implemented strategies that helped our region meet the 2008 8-hour ozone standard for cleaner air and healthier communities. They did this through continuous coordination with agencies including the California Air Resources Board and US Environmental Protection Agency, with local utilities such as SMUD, local non-profit organizations such as Valley Vision and Breathe California-Sacramento, and industry and business leaders such as Teichert, CEMEX, the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Association of Realtors, and Pacific Gas & Electric through the Cleaner Air Partnership coalition.
Through the Cleaner Air Partnership coalition, decades of advocacy, outreach and education have contributed to cleaner air and healthier communities in our region. Most notably, the Cleaner Air Partnership coalition helped require the Bay Area to conduct enhanced smog checks on vehicles, as our air quality was impacted by pollution blowing in from the west. The coalition also helped to advocate for the successful inclusion of the South Sacramento-Florin community as an Assembly Bill (AB) 617 community, which opened the door for the community to receive funding and resources for emissions reduction. Today, the coalition continues to provide outreach and education on air quality-related topics such as transportation emissions reduction strategies and actively participates in federal advocacy through the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s annual Capitol-to-Capitol program. It is key to note the contributions of the business community for investing in clean innovations and strategies, for example in complying with local, state and federal regulations such as transitioning their fleets to zero-emissions. Moreover, it is also crucial to recognize the contributions of communities, especially low-income and communities of color, who have prioritized and supported clean alternative transportation and other key emissions reduction strategies such as advocating for expanding tree canopy, advocating for protected bike and pedestrian lanes, and actively taking part in learning more about air quality and public health education.
Keeping Up Momentum: The Work Doesn’t Stop Here
The Capital region’s geography due to its unique combination of surrounding mountains, lots of sunshine, varying wind patterns, and thermal air inversions, along with a fast population growth and changing climate will continue to impact air quality, especially in polluted communities. While the region has achieved a significant milestone by meeting the 2008 ozone standard, the work can’t stop. The Capital Region’s air districts, along with our communities, various public partner agencies, organizations and businesses must continue to be creative and find innovative solutions to meet air quality standards, including the newest most stringent ozone standard of 70 ppb that was set in 2015. Investments in policies and programs that sustainably fund clean infrastructure in both the natural and built environment, strengthen public-private partnerships, and cultivate intentional and genuine community engagement and education is imperative to our region’s progress. With federal funding cuts to environmental justice and air quality programs, it is now more important than ever that the region’s leaders, including state and federal level agencies and departments, continue to work together to ensure cleaner air for the benefit of all of our communities.
The Cleaner Air Partnership looks forward to continuing our advocacy and advancing this important work at the local, regional, state, and federal levels on behalf of all communities in the Capital Region. Learn more about Cleaner Air Partnership here to get involved and stay up to date.
From Conversation to Action: Strengthening the Heart of Our Region
The Capital Region is a place that I chose to live, having moved here 24 years ago. Right away, I was struck by the people and places of this region: people who introduced me to new ideas and new ways of making community; and places that offered beauty and function – urban gardens, bike lanes, access to nature, and more. It felt like a region where you could raise kids, build a career, and plan for the long term – which is exactly what my husband and I did. Those qualities are what drew us in, and they’re the same ones that make this work personal for me.
At Valley Vision, we conduct the Livability Poll each year to understand people’s views on critical issues and how people across our six-county region experience life here. In comparison with our most recent Livability Poll in 2023, the 2025 results reveal a region that remains hopeful but is also under strain. Affordable housing once again tops the list of residents’ priorities, with the majority saying it’s getting harder to purchase a home or imagine retiring here. Access to healthcare rose to the second-highest priority this year, reflecting growing concern about affordability and policy uncertainty. Livable wages ranked third, with residents expressing mixed confidence in job security and career mobility – especially as artificial intelligence reshapes the labor market. Education remains a key concern, rounding out the top four, and as always, perspectives and experiences differ greatly according to geography, race and ethnicity, income, and other factors.
Despite these challenges, the data also highlights important and unique strengths. Residents continue to describe the Capital Region as a good or excellent place to live, work, and raise children. They value its diversity, natural amenities, supportive services, and sense of community – themes that came up repeatedly when people were asked about the region’s greatest strengths. In short, people care about this place and recognize the assets we have.
The Livability Poll gives us a clear picture of where we stand – but numbers alone don’t create change. That’s why we bring people together for the Livability Summit: to share data, create dialogue, and catalyze action. On October 1st, more than 350 leaders, partners, and community members gathered to do exactly that.
We gathered in Citrus Heights and experienced firsthand how local leadership is driving community vibrance. The Summit featured insights from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) on the region’s 25-year vision for growth and transportation, and from two California legislators – one Democrat and one Republican – who discussed how they’re working together across differences to serve our communities. Attendees joined five workshops focused on workforce development, affordable housing, climate resilience, federal policy, and community engagement; explored how regional media connects to civic trust; practiced tools for collaboration; and closed the day with reflections from youth leaders on their hopes for the future – capped by a community social hour with the City of Citrus Heights and the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce.
The day reinforced what I’ve long believed: data can guide us, but people move us forward. I left the Summit convinced that local, data-informed storytelling is one of our region’s most important assets. It builds shared understanding and helps communities and leaders make decisions grounded in reality, not assumptions. That’s essential to a healthy democracy – and to the kind of trust we need to take on hard issues together.
Our region is far from finished, but the progress is undeniable. We’ve achieved cleaner air, expanded cutting-edge sectors like biotechnology and advanced manufacturing, and established ourselves as a national leader in inclusive economic growth. Through We Prosper Together, we’re turning collaboration into impact – supporting projects that build living-wage jobs, prepare workers for the future, and ensure the benefits of growth reach every community in the Capital Region. The Livability Poll helps us see where we stand. The Summit reminded me that real progress comes from what we do with that knowledge – and from the people willing to keep showing up to make this region stronger.
To keep up with Valley Vision’s work to advance livability in the Capital Region, subscribe to our Vantage Point email newsletter!
Evan Schmidt is Valley Vision’s Chief Executive Officer.
Building Momentum Around Biomass as an Economic Driver and Environmental Necessity
Highlights from Valley Vision’s Second Legislative Roundtable
Launched in 2025, the Legislators’ Roundtable builds on the success of the annual Livability Summit, bringing together the twenty-one state and federal District Directors representing our region with civic and nonprofit leaders. Meeting quarterly, these bipartisan convenings provide a powerful platform for strategic communication, relationship-building, and collaboration to directly shape solutions that impact communities across Sacramento.
As the regional convener for California Jobs First, Valley Vision is providing legislators with exclusive, real-time insights into the region’s most innovative and impactful work. This roundtable offers a first-hand look at groundbreaking data, research, and cross-sector initiatives that can help align efforts with legislative partners and drive meaningful progress in areas such as housing, education, workforce development, manufacturing, and economic mobility. By ensuring alignment between legislative offices and community leaders, the roundtable fosters collaboration that drives meaningful, lasting impact, equipping policymakers with the insights they need while empowering regional partners to advance shared priorities.
Takeaways from the August 14th Roundtable
We appreciate the dedication of the Capital Region delegation who continues to show up for their communities and join us in the Legislators’ Roundtable series. This second convening was designed to strengthen partnerships between policymakers and regional leaders, highlighting the momentum behind the region’s bioeconomy as a driver of innovation, resilience, and good jobs.
Federal and state district staff explored the current landscape of biomass utilization projects, identified key challenges, and discussed legislative strategies to accelerate progress.
Elizabeth Betancourt, Natural and Working Lands Policy Advisor with the California Department of Conservation, highlighted how biomass utilization aligns with several of the state’s most pressing priorities, including California’s commitment to carbon neutrality and zero-carbon electricity by 2025, while also addressing urgent wildfire prevention and forest management needs. She noted the potential to avoid more than $3.1 billion annually in public health costs by reducing wildfire damages and improving overall air quality. Her remarks underscored both the scale of the opportunity and the need to scale investments to realize these benefits.
A panel of industry and community leaders further highlighted opportunities in renewable fuels, grid resilience, rural manufacturing, and workforce development. They emphasized the importance of legislative and policy alignment to accelerate progress and overcome barriers in permitting, financing, and infrastructure that often delay project development.
Panel Facilitated by Lindsey Nitta, Camptonville Community Partnership
- Matt Boeger, COO, Regen Biofuels
- Dr. Matt Summers, COO, West Biofuels
- Sam Kang, COO, Pioneer Community Energy
- Amy Berry, CEO, Tahoe Fund
Attendees engaged in a candid exchange of ideas about the future of biomass in the Capital Region. Discussions reinforced the need for stable funding streams to scale projects, integration of biomass into California’s broader clean energy portfolio, and development of strong workforce pipelines so local communities can fully benefit from emerging opportunities. The Roundtable emphasized that sustained collaboration with legislators will be essential to scaling solutions and realizing these benefits.
Get Involved in Local Biomass Solutions
Encourage continued collaboration, investment, and advocacy to keep biomass at the forefront of the region’s clean economy strategies.
Join us for the 2025 “Biomass & Beyond” Symposium on November 5th! Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1571550532949
Gretchen James is a Project Manager focused on the Leadership & Civic Engagement and Clean Air & Climate impact areas. Outside of work, Gretchen enjoys spending time in nature and supporting local artists.
Event Recap – Food Hubs: Increasing Market Opportunities for Farmers, Ranchers, and Food Producers
On July 16th, the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center hosted a webinar on “Food Hubs: Increasing Market Opportunities for Farmers, Ranchers, and Food Producers”. The event included presentations from two Center partners Alicia Baddorf, of University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP) and Sabina Malik, of University of Nevada, Reno Extension (UNR Extension). Speakers presented on the development and planning process of food hubs, its impact in fulfilling market gaps, and collaborative learning through food hubs networks. The webinar is part of the Center’s quarterly webinar series, where Center partners share best practices and innovative projects on essential topics related to business development and capacity assistance for local producers, farmers, and ranchers.
Alicia discussed the work of UC SAREP’s California Food Hub Network as a learning network, supported by the Southwest Regional Food Business Center, to coordinate technical assistance, collaborative learning and information sharing for and among food hubs in California. Alicia exemplified these efforts by the Food Hub Network’s work with the Transitions to Organic Partnership Program, in which food hubs were paired with a food hub mentor and to receive support about the steps for obtaining organic certification for their facilities. Sabina discussed UNR Extension’s planning process for the first food hub in the greater Las Vegas area. Sabina provided the audience with a multitude of background research that informed the need for the food hub and described how UNR’s research community assessment research, such as the Healthy Food Access Map, can serve as a model to support best practices for equitable development of food hubs across unique geographies, alongside specific resource guides including USDA Regional Food Hub Resource Guide and Michigan State University National Food Hub Survey.
Attendees, representing a wide variety of organizations and businesses, were actively engaged throughout the webinar, as many sought to learn of the outcomes of a network-based approach to food hub collaboration and understand research-based planning processes for food hub development.
About Valley Vision and the Southwest Regional Food Business Center
Valley Vision leads coordination, communication, and network development efforts for the Southwest Regional Food Business Center. The quarterly webinar series is part of Valley Vision’s efforts to share best practices and to foster a collaborative network among Center partners and other participants.
The Southwest Regional Food Business Center, representing Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah, is one of twelve USDA Regional Food Business Centers nationwide developed in 2023 to provide coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and initiatives, as well as navigate federal, state and local funding and resources. With an extensive network of partners from academic, government, and community-based organizations, the Southwest RFBC is dedicated to prioritizing historically underrepresented communities and small to mid-tier businesses.
For more information about the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center and its initiatives, visit www.swfoodbiz.org. To stay updated on future webinars and events, be sure to subscribe to the Center’s newsletter: http://bit.ly/SWRFBC-Newsletter.
USDA disclosures and guidance can be found at https://bit.ly/USDAdisclosures.
Visit the Center’s socials here.
Brewing Up Opportunity: Career Pathways in Fermentation Science
On April 30, 2025, Valley Vision, in collaboration with the Los Rios Community College District, hosted a regional advisory on fermentation sciences, including brewing, and viticulture careers. The event convened academic leaders, industry professionals, and labor market insights to explore workforce needs and opportunities in fermentation-related industries.
Dr. Jessica Coppola, Professor of Nutrition, Food Science, and Beer Brewing at Sacramento City College, kicked off the event with an overview of fermentation. She described it as an ancient process with modern applications across food, beverage, biotechnology, and beyond. Coppola highlighted fermentation’s role in producing diverse products such as yogurt, soy sauce, beer, wine, and even non-edible items like nail polish remover, emphasizing fermentation’s historical significance for food preservation and its modern health benefits.
Professor Glen Fox, an Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Science at UC Davis, delivered a keynote, emphasizing that brewing careers demand more than a passion for craft beverages, involving tasks like managing raw materials, maintaining production schedules, and ensuring rigorous quality control. Dr. Fox highlighted the sometimes labor-intensive nature of cleaning tanks and kegs, and stressed the importance of troubleshooting, critical thinking, and understanding ingredient functions, noting that recipe design is only a small part of fermentation science roles. Fox also showcased UC Davis’s brewing program as a national leader in preparing students for diverse industry positions.
Together, Dr. Fox and Dr. Coppola discussed Sacramento City College’s partnership with UC Davis, which has created pathways for underrepresented students through courses like Nutrition 336: Introduction to Beer and Brewing. This collaboration has already facilitated student transfers and sparked broader interest in fermentation careers, blending scientific rigor with practical craft.
Ebony Benzing, Director of the North/Far North Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research, presented labor market data for fermentation-related occupations in the Greater Sacramento region. She defined industrial fermentation as the intentional use of microbial processes to produce commercial products at scale, grouping 16 industries into five categories: food and beverage, breweries/distilleries/wineries, biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology R&D. These sectors employed approximately 7,100 workers in 2023, with an 11% projected growth by 2028, adding about 800 new jobs. Average earnings in these fields exceed Sacramento County’s living wage, making them attractive career paths.
Benzing highlighted middle-skill roles that require more than a high school diploma but less than a bachelor’s degree as key opportunities for community college programs. These include separating and filtering machine operators, quality control technicians, and fermentation production workers, which align with the hands-on, technical skills later emphasized by industry panelists.
An employer panel brought together leaders from across the fermentation landscape – including Raef Porter (Bike Dog Brewing), Jacqueline Samson (Better Meat Co.), David Ogilvie (Wilson Vineyards & Silt Wine Company), and Justin Boeger (Boeger Winery) – to share insights on the evolving needs and opportunities in fermentation-focused industries. Panelists highlighted the challenge of filling essential but less glamorous roles, such as cleaning kegs and tanks, which are critical for maintaining product quality in craft brewing, and provide a ladder to future careers. These employers noted that some fermentation fields often rely on internal training or poaching talent from competitors, but programs like those at Sac City College and UC Davis are vital for upskilling employees, particularly in sensory analysis to ensure quality control. The panel emphasized the need for candidates with general fermentation experience, food safety training, and familiarity with automation systems, noting that brewing experience provides a strong foundation across different fermentation science roles.
Employers representing the viticulture industry further spoke on the need for a blend of scientific knowledge and practical skills. They advocated for formal training, such as that offered at Folsom Lake College, and hands-on lab experience to enhance employability. Panelists highlighted the transformative role of AgTech in viticulture, such as remote irrigation and autonomous tractors, which reduce labor demands but require technical adaptability. Discussion also focused on the importance of interpersonal or “soft” skills like problem-solving and perseverance. The panelists agreed that stronger education-to-career pipelines, including internships and community college certificates, are essential for building a diverse, skilled talent pool that reflects the region’s innovation and creativity.
The advisory underscored the convergence of traditional fermentation practices and cutting-edge science, with regional employers diversifying operations and adopting advanced technologies. The growing demand for professionals who blend scientific knowledge with practical skills highlights the importance of our local training programs. Community colleges were identified as critical partners in offering accessible, targeted education to provide hands-on fermenter experience.
This regional industry advisory was made possible by Strong Workforce Program Funding by the Los Rios Community College District, which brings together industry, employers, education, and workforce stakeholders to align the pathway for these future careers. For more information on this advisory or previous events, or to share your ideas for a future advisory, please contact DiAngelo Andrews at diangelo.andrews@valleyvision.org.
Valley Vision Engages 200+ Residents to Design Community Air Monitoring Plans
The Sacramento metropolitan area, while having made enormous progress in recent decades, suffers from unacceptable levels of air pollution. As a result, diverse coalitions including community organizations, neighborhood associations, local governments, air districts, and education partners have been using cutting-edge technologies to monitor air quality in their neighborhoods. Despite progress, vulnerable communities still suffer from inequitable environmental conditions. It is crucial that federal and state leaders continue supporting community air protection programs and investing in the health and well-being of pollution-burdened communities.
Valley Vision has been a leader in improving regional air quality for more than 20 years. As manager of the longstanding Cleaner Air Partnership (CAP), the premier public-private coalition focused on improving air quality in California’s Capital Region, Valley Vision and our CAP partners bring air quality regulators, industry, and the nonprofit sector work together on air quality issues of common concern, for the benefit of all. Since 2017 and the passage of AB 617, and the subsequent establishment of CARB’s Community Air Protection Program, we have partnered to do air quality monitoring of our own, paired with advocacy and securing critical funding for community clean air projects.
As an evolution of our longstanding air quality and environmental work, Valley Vision is participating in the Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative (SMMI). As part of this project, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is partnering with Aclima – a public benefit corporation – and 64 frontline communities across California to measure air pollution at the neighborhood level. The initiative is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide effort that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Community Air Monitoring Plans: Residents in the Driver Seat
The $27 million initiative brought together diverse community members and advocates, community organizations, local agencies, and air districts to co-develop community air monitoring plans (CAMPs) for 64 pollution-burdened communities throughout the State of California. Over forty community organizations and community serving non-profits led engagement in these communities raising awareness about the project milestones, gathering input from residents about their experiences with air pollution, and working with them to define community monitoring boundaries, which informed Aclima where to deploy their sensor-equipped vehicles that will be measuring pollution block-by-block this year.
Valley Vision led community engagement in four communities in the Sacramento area – South Natomas, Oak Park/Fruitridge, Meadowview and Florin. Our friends at the Sacramento Environmental Justice Coalition (Sac EJC) led engagement in the Old North Sacramento/Norwood and Del Paso Heights neighborhoods of North Sacramento. Residents from different backgrounds with diverse needs came together to voice their air pollution concerns, and made key decisions that have helped shape community air monitoring plans. Read more about the community sessions below:
- Residents Guide Air Pollution Monitoring in South Sacramento
- Residents Guide Air Pollution Monitoring in South Natomas
Celebrating Wins and the Next Phase
On June 3rd, 2025, CARB, Aclima, and community leaders gathered together in front of the CalEPA building to celebrate major milestones, including the collaborative process used in this project, and to launch the next phase of the initiative. Read more about the press conference here.
The next phase of the initiative will kick-off this summer through winter of next year, where Aclima will deploy their fleet of vehicles equipped with sensors – block-by-block – to collect pollution data in overburdened communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution. The results gathered through collective efforts will help inform and drive local, community-centered solutions to improve air quality and public health.
Valley Vision is proud to partner with CARB, Aclima, and community groups to advance this important work, and we are committed to further connecting the forthcoming data with resources for communities to address these issues. We want to particularly thank the Gardenland-Northgate Neighborhood Association, the Meadowview Neighborhood Association, and the Oak Park Neighborhood Association for their thoughtful participation in the community forums earlier this Spring. Keep an eye out for Aclima’s vehicles and mobile labs coming to North Sacramento and South Sacramento neighborhoods starting this Summer!
Stay updated by visiting https://aclima.earth/ca-smmi.
High Voltage Electrical Careers: Powering Greater Sacramento’s Clean Energy Future
On April 15, 2025, Valley Vision convened a High Voltage Electrical Careers Advisory at Sierra College, bringing together leaders from industry, education, and workforce development to address the urgent demand for skilled high-voltage professionals. With representatives from SMUD, Rivian, the Sacramento Electrical Training Center, CalEPIC and the California Air Resources Board, the hybrid event focused on how these careers are critical to meeting California’s clean energy and zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) goals. The discussion emphasized aligning training programs with industry needs, addressing workforce shortages, and expanding equitable career pathways in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the state’s economy.
California’s clean energy transition has fueled a surge in high-voltage electrical careers. Ebony Benzing, Director of the North/Far North Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research, shared that 416 regional job postings over the past year required high-voltage skills, defined as systems over 600 volts, spanning electricians, maintenance workers, and engineers across utilities, manufacturing, and construction. Of these, 131 positions required a high school diploma or associate’s degree, while 108 required bachelor’s degrees, offering diverse entry points. Employers like SMUD, with 31 postings, and Rivian, with 8, seek candidates with 2 to 6 years of experience, emphasizing skills like transformer diagnostics, safety protocols, and diagnostic software.
Keynote speaker Larry Rillera, Staff Air Pollution Specialist for Community Outreach and Engagement at the California Air Resources Board, emphasized California’s global leadership in ZEV technologies, with electric transportation, a top export, comprising 26% of light-duty vehicle sales and 260 certified heavy-duty ZEVs last year. He outlined the state’s ZEV Market Development Strategy, built on four pillars: vehicles, infrastructure, users, and workforce. Rillera highlighted innovative educational programs in the state, such as Mulholland Middle School’s hydrogen fuel cell car project and Calexico High School’s electrification of a Volkswagen Beetle, which inspire young talent. He stressed modern training methods, like AC Transit’s use of mixed-reality for high-voltage systems, and the need for cross-disciplinary skills in automotive, electrical, and IT fields. Rillera also championed equity, ensuring that underserved communities have access to these career pathways, and projected exponential job growth in ZEV infrastructure, positioning California as a model for sustainable economic development.
High-voltage electrical careers are not only stable and high-paying—they’re central to building California’s clean energy future. With demand rising for roles in EV infrastructure, renewable energy, and grid modernization, Greater Sacramento is emerging as a hub for innovation and global leadership in zero-emission technologies.
Employer panelists representing SMUD, Rivian, CalEPIC, and the Sacramento Electrical Training Center reinforced this demand, and discussed pathways to economic prosperity for workers. SMUD offers apprenticeships starting at $44.70/hour, scaling to $68.26/hour for journeymen, while Rivian’s Fast Track program hires 150 entry-level technicians annually, prioritizing soft skills and in-house training. The Sacramento Electrical Training Center trains 450 apprentices across 17 counties, providing free education for careers with the opportunity to earn over $100,000.
Significant hurdles remain. Outdated training facilities struggle with modern technology, requiring advanced tools such as mixed-reality training, and a looming wave of retirements strains capacity for the future. Benzing pointed out that high-voltage expertise is a competency, not a job title, which is imperative for training alignment. Additionally, many applicants lack foundational skills, such as knowledge of algebra and hand tool use. Equity gaps persist, with underrepresented groups needing better access to training.
The Capital Region can seize these opportunities through strategic collaboration. A comprehensive labor market assessment, as Benzing recommended, alongside employer surveys, will pinpoint high-voltage job needs to align training programs effectively. Strengthening Career Technical Education programs in middle and high schools with hands-on circuit theory, tool use, and job shadowing at substations, such as CalEPIC’s mobile classroom initiative led by Orville Thomas, will prepare students early. Promoting equity through outreach efforts, such as SMUD’s Women in Skilled Trades Day and Sacramento Electrical Training Center’s mentorship programs for women and veterans, will diversify the workforce. Streamlining high school and college curricula to eliminate duplication and offer stackable credentials, from helper certificates to advanced diplomas, will accelerate apprenticeship pathways. Partnerships with Sierra College, unions, and employers like Rivian can expand certifications, such as EVIT for EV charger maintenance, and integrate emerging skills in grid cybersecurity and vehicle-to-grid technology, ensuring a future-ready workforce.
Continued collaboration to unite utilities, manufacturers, educators, and community leaders in a dynamic sector-partnership model allows for co-design of agile curricula, shares innovative resources like mobile labs, and builds a resilient talent pipeline that powers California’s zero-emission ambitions for generations to come. This collective effort will not only fill today’s job vacancies but also empower a diverse workforce to lead in a sustainable, high-tech future. This regional industry advisory was made possible by Strong Workforce Program Funding by the Los Rios Community College District, which brings together industry, employers, education, and workforce stakeholders to align the pathway for these future careers.
For more information on this advisory or previous events, or to share your ideas for a future advisory, please contact DiAngelo Andrews at diangelo.andrews@valleyvision.org. Together, we can power Greater Sacramento’s clean energy economy with a skilled and inclusive workforce!
Cap-to-Cap 2025 Highlights from Valley Vision Staff
Valley Vision has a long history of participating in the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Capitol-to-Capitol program, which serves as our region’s premier federal advocacy opportunity each year. This program provides opportunities to meet with the Sacramento Region’s federal legislators and encourages participants to meet with federal agencies, many of whom oversee competitive funding programs.
This year’s 53rd annual “Cap-to-Cap” was the largest on record, with 450+ leaders participating. Valley Vision staff led and supported many of the topic-based teams and, in keeping with tradition, have documented their experiences below.
Evan Schmidt, CEO (Business Climate Team): “As always, it is great to see our region coming together for common purpose. There really is nothing like travelling with 400+ regional leaders to make new connections across people and issues that help us all get things done! While funding constraints and rapid change in agencies are presenting challenges for the region, it is also clear that our regional elected leaders in DC are committed to creating wins for our region whenever possible. Our ability to lean in together on key asks and aligned goals will be critically important – Valley Vision is committed to helping shape that cohesive vision through our work.”
Trish Kelly, Managing Director (Food & Agriculture Team): “The 2025 Cap-to-Cap program was a different experience for our Food and Agriculture team from previous years given the intensity of budget negotiations; recent and pending program funding terminations that are affecting our region; changes and gaps in agency staffing; and overall uncertainty. It was a timely visit for us to communicate our priorities to the Senate and House Agriculture Committees which are negotiating the passage of the Farm Bill and facing difficult decisions to reach targeted budget cuts, especially for SNAP food security programs that also provide important revenues for our farmers, grocers and food producers. It’s very special to join our dedicated partners as we elevate the assets of our food system and break bread together in shared purpose.”
Renee John, Managing Director (Business Climate Team): “Cap to Cap provides a unique opportunity to connect with decision makers on key issues facing our region. From meetings on Capitol Hill, to networking events, and the spontaneous “walk and talk” that happens as we are hustling between meetings and events, the shared experience of this program encourages deeper conversations that can really move the needle on regional economic prosperity.”
Adrian Rehn, Director (Air Quality Team): “It was a very interesting year in D.C. I’ve been participating in Cap-to-Cap since 2019 and have not experienced the “vibe” of scarcity that we saw in 2025. Offices told us that there was little money for our programs, or – as in the case of U.S. EPA – that they would not be enforcing basic functions that business, government, and community members rely on. That said, there were some opportunities that became apparent to our Air Quality Team members – energy resilience is still a priority, and there is bipartisan interest in biomass utilization solutions that protect our landscapes from wildfire, create rural jobs, and generate high-value products. We look forward to pursuing these threads through the year through the Cleaner Air Partnership and other avenues.”
Analyst Careers – Understanding the Opportunity
On April 2, 2025, Valley Vision partnered with Los Rios Community College District, the California Community Colleges Centers of Excellence, and the Capital Region Workforce Boards to host a virtual Analyst Careers Advisory event. This cross-sector convening between Public Sector Pathways and Information and Communication Technologies equipped job seekers with information on rewarding analyst roles, strengthening the region’s workforce pipeline, and offering a roadmap for aligning education with employer needs.
Ebony J. Benzing, Director of the Greater Sacramento Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research, set the stage with compelling data on analyst career trends. Her analysis highlighted strong demand across sectors, with 6,500 analyst job postings from 1,100 employers in the region over the past year. Government positions lead with (38%) of analyst jobs, followed by professional and technical services (20%), finance and insurance (9%), and healthcare (7%). Analyst roles are projected to grow by 7% by 2028, adding over 2,600 jobs and creating 3,400 annual openings. Notably, entry-level analyst roles in Greater Sacramento offer an average wage of approximately $41.19/hour. “Analyst jobs provide pathways to a living wage,” Benzing emphasized, underscoring their potential for upward mobility.
Benzing also noted a variance in education requirements, with 75% of job postings in the public sector not specifying an education degree level, compared to 65% of private sector postings requiring a bachelor’s degree. This accessibility broadens opportunities for diverse candidates.
A dynamic panel featuring Lanaya Trejo (CalHR), Erica Priddle (Placer County), Nnenaya Jite-Ogbuehi (Sacramento County Office of Education), and Catharine Anderson (USDA) clarified the diverse responsibilities of analyst roles. Analysts, they explained, are data-driven problem-solvers who interpret information to support organizational goals across various fields, from crime analysis to crop insurance management.
The panel shared key skills needed and their organizations’ efforts to remove barriers to accessing positions. Key skills denoted were proficiency in data analysis, project management, and software, including Excel, business intelligence, and data visualization tools like Power BI, and Tableau, alongside communication and attention to detail. Trejo noted that following a gubernatorial initiative, CalHR has removed degree requirements for specific roles, including Staff Services Analysts. Priddle highlighted Placer County’s efforts to lower barriers by valuing experience over degrees and developing feeder roles to support career growth. Jite-Ogbuehi explained that SCOE allows candidates to qualify with a combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. The event emphasized preparing students and job seekers for analyst careers through targeted education and training. Panelists urged educators to prioritize hands-on experience and the development of soft skills. They highlighted strategies, such as mock interviews, to help younger generations build confidence and effectively articulate their strengths post-pandemic. Additionally, they emphasized the value of internships in providing students with practical experience and networking opportunities to connect with hiring managers and departments. Cameron Whitfield, Internship Developer at Cosumnes River College, showcased the Handshake platform, which connects employers with students across Los Rios campuses. He shared a success story of a three-part series with the Sacramento Employment Training Agency, culminating in a mini career fair that drew 90-100 students to engage with state agencies. Whitfield spoke about the effectiveness of smaller, focused career events in helping students understand analyst positions.
The Analyst Careers advisory event sparked ideas for enhancing workforce readiness. Attendees called for better outreach to high school students, who often overlook analyst roles in favor of more visible careers like healthcare or law enforcement. Jite-Ogbuehi proposed outreach events in the community, such as career workshops, to promote benefits like work-life balance that appeal to younger generations. Trejo pointed to CalHR’s “Tip Tuesdays” videos on workforcalifornia.ca.gov, designed to simplify the state hiring process for diverse learners. This event not only clarified the analyst career landscape but also inspired actionable steps to prepare a skilled, diverse workforce for Greater Sacramento’s future. Valley Vision remains committed to fostering connections, information and dialogue to advance inclusive economic and workforce development. A detailed meeting proceedings report, summarizing discussions and recommendations, will be shared in May 2025. Click here to view emerging advisory events for this fall.
Event Recap – Agriculture Technology for Small and Mid-Sized Farms
On April 16th, the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center hosted a webinar on “Agriculture Technology for Small and Mid-Sized Farms and Food Businesses”. The event included presentations from Center partners Gabe Youtsey, of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and BreAnn Brown of Larta Institute, alongside Maria Ridoutt-Orozco of Community Alliance with Family Farmers. Speakers discussed their organization’s role in bridging the innovation gap for small and mid-sized farmers and food business, and their role in equitable development of agriculture technologies. The webinar is part of the Center’s quarterly webinar series, where Center partners share best practices and innovative projects on essential topics related to business development and capacity assistance for local producers, farmers, and ranchers.
Each speaker provided key takeaways and programmatic examples of technology adoption, including UC ANR’s The VINE program that ensures research and technology are guided by needs from the field, and put into practical solutions. The power in uplifting innovations that are created by farmers, on farms was exemplified by CAFF’s discussion of their Small Farm Innovation Challenge. The impacts of a network based approach to technology adoption was demonstrated through Larta Institute, and their partnership with the Southwest Regional Food Business Center, through their Urban Agriculture Task Force that leverages technical assistance providers and technology solutions to solve post-harvest pain points felt by urban farmers.
Attendees, representing a wide variety of organizations, were actively engaged throughout the webinar, as many sought to learn of innovative technologies that could be implemented for farms, ranches, and food businesses, while ensuring these technologies are most appropriate for those in the field. The next webinar will take place on July 16th and will focus on Food Hubs. Register: https://bit.ly/SWRFBCwebinar
Register for the Southwest Center’s next Webinar
Join the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center on July 16th from 3-4PM PST for our fifth webinar focused on Food Hubs.
About Valley Vision and the Southwest Regional Food Business Center
Valley Vision leads coordination, communication, and network development efforts for the Southwest Regional Food Business Center. The quarterly webinar series is part of Valley Vision’s efforts to share best practices and to foster a collaborative network among Center partners and other participants.
The Southwest Regional Food Business Center, representing Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah, is one of twelve USDA Regional Food Business Centers nationwide developed in 2023 to provide coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and initiatives, as well as navigate federal, state and local funding and resources. With an extensive network of partners from academic, government, and community-based organizations, the Southwest RFBC is dedicated to prioritizing historically underrepresented communities and small to mid-tier businesses.
For more information about the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center and its initiatives, visit www.swfoodbiz.org. To stay updated on future webinars and events, be sure to subscribe to the Center’s newsletter: http://bit.ly/SWRFBC-Newsletter.
USDA disclosures and guidance can be found at https://bit.ly/USDAdisclosures.
Visit the Center’s socials here.
Cleaner Air Partnership Ready to Respond to Shifts at Federal Level
by Gretchen Bennitt, Yolo-Solano AQMD & Debbie Wells, CEMEX (Co-Chairs of the Cleaner Air Partnership)
The longstanding Cleaner Air Partnership (CAP), the premier public-private coalition focused on improving air quality in California’s Capital Region, is ready to adjust to the changes in Federal policy and funding dynamics brought on by the Trump Administration. This partnership is unlike any other in the state – where air quality regulators, industry, and the nonprofit sector work together on air quality issues of common concern, for the benefit of all. From the statehouse to the U.S. Capitol, we are consistently told that our innovative model for collaboration is something that people haven’t seen before – breaking barriers and enabling progress. This approach is needed now more than ever.
CAP has accomplished much over the years, from (1) reducing pollution impacts from the San Francisco Bay Area by catalyzing their adherence to Smog Check II, (2) establishing support for SMAQMD to create and implement Check Before You Burn policies that became the national standard for particulate control, (3) securing Capital Region representation on the CA Air Resources Board, and (4) successfully advocating for South Sacramento’s designation as an AB 617 Community Air Protection community for targeted air quality investments and incentives. In all of these cases, business, government, and the community came out ahead. Good air quality is good for business.
Reframing Our Priorities:
The new Federal Administration has clearly emphasized investment in business and industry. Considering CAP’s longtime focus on incentives for cleaner vehicles, equipment, and more to transition toward lower environmental impact, we see an opportunity to look for some common ground. One of our approaches for engagement with newly minted Federal leaders will focus on preserving consumer choice, and is expected to serve as a role model for other areas of the nation and state. One vital CAP role will be to help educate leaders about potential regional impacts and opportunities related to changing regulatory landscapes. At the same time – while priorities are changing, we know that we still have overburdened communities with a disproportionate amount of air pollution and related health impacts that need to be addressed.
The Cleaner Air Partnership is currently gearing up to take part in the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s “Capitol-to-Capitol” program, which will bring 400 regional leaders to Washington, D.C. in May 2025 to advocate for our region’s Federal policy and funding priorities. Each year, CAP helps to lead two of the thirteen issue-focused teams – ‘Air Quality’ and ‘Wildfire & Forest Management.’ New leadership means a new way of talking about our priorities – something we’re taking very seriously as we build out a gameplan for this year’s program. For example, adequate staffing levels at Federal agencies help government be responsive to business needs. Investing in American-made battery storage and grid resilience supports energy independence. And biomass-to-energy solutions prevent wildfires and support rural jobs. This reframing will be critical to relationship-building in D.C. and getting things done for our communities.
Attaining Air Quality Goals:
Since 1986, this collaborative of air quality regulators, industry, public health organizations, and nonprofits have successfully weathered seven Presidents, multiple economic downturns, and big changes to technology while continuously advocating for cleaner air. In fact – we are pleased to share the news that the Sacramento Federal Nonattainment Area is expecting to demonstrate attainment of the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Ozone in 2024! We will also continue working with U.S. EPA, CARB, air districts, and our regulated community towards attaining the 2015 Federal Ozone Standard. Local air quality regulators work hard to meet and maintain Federal air quality health standards by adopting and enforcing air quality programs, maintaining air monitoring networks, and administering federal, state and local air quality grant programs. Attainment of the 2008 ozone standard is a huge milestone that has been decades in the making, and speaks to the progress that we can make when diverse partners come together around a common mission.
The Cleaner Air Partnership looks forward to continuing our important work – to make progress on public health and economic growth through improvements in air quality now and into the future.
The Cleaner Air Partnership a unique public-private partnership across business, transportation, the environment, health, and local government that promotes cleaner air in the Sacramento region. Originally founded in 1986 by Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails and the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and later joined by Valley Vision, the Cleaner Air Partnership’s purpose is to protect our health and promote economic growth by supporting green industry, smart land use, and leading-edge research while lowering emissions. The Partnership is led by two co-equal co-leads from the public and private sectors, respectively.
The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District’s mission is to protect human health and property from the harmful effects of air pollution. As a public health agency, the District is responsible for safeguarding air quality and overseeing air pollution control in Yolo and northeastern Solano counties. For more information, visit www.ysaqmd.org.
Cemex is a global building materials company committed to providing innovative and sustainable solutions for the construction industry. Cemex has set an ambitious goal to become a net-zero CO2 company by 2050, striving to make sustainability a part of its everyday decision-making processes. For more information, visit www.cemex.com.
Event Recap – Southwest Regional Food Business Center Virtual All-Partner Summit
On February 3rd, partners of the USDA’s Southwest Regional Food Business Center gathered together for the Center’s first Virtual Summit. With over 70 participants from across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, the Summit provided a forum for partners to join together, foster new connections, and build upon existing relationships in the Southwest Center community. Intermixed with networking opportunities, guest speakers presented on topics ranging from Institutional Procurement/Farm to Hospital, Bridge Lending and Farm Financing, Invigorating the Regional Network, and Best Practices in Center Communications.
Connecting with Center Partners & Learning Together
The Summit kicked off with an interactive wordcloud activity in which Partners described their work with one word. Words such as “Resilient, Impact, and Inspiring” exemplified the commitment to supporting local farmers and food systems, and helped set the stage for a Summit focused on empowering and supporting Southwest Center partners.
The first speaker of the Summit was regional food system leader Chef Santana Diaz, who gave an invigorating keynote speech focused on actionable means of making a positive difference in our food system. Chef Diaz emphasized his change-making work in procuring sustainable, local, and nutrient-dense foods in the UC Davis Hospital System. Chef Diaz described how he built upon a California Specialty Crop Block Grant from California Department of Food and Agriculture to understand how large institutions such as hospitals can play an integral role in strengthening the local food system. Chef Diaz also discussed the role collaborative partnerships with organizations, such as UC Davis Aquaculture and Roots of Change, have played in bringing great tasting, healthy, and local foods to the UC Davis Hospital System. Chef Diaz closed out his keynote speech by stating the biggest opportunity for increasing institutional procurement is to quantify the larger community benefits that stem from procurement.
Partners were then able to connect with each other in networking breakout rooms that were organized by topic: Urban Agriculture; Coordination; Indigenous Businesses; Farm to Institution; Center Evaluation; Value Added Products; Regenerative Meat; Business Development for Technical Assistance; Agriculture Technologies. Bringing partners together to increase coordination and communication is one of the key activities Valley Vision supports for the Center.
Brett Malone, Chief Business Strategies Officer for California Farmlink, discussed bridge lending and farm finance, a topic Center partners expressed strong interest in learning about through the Summit. Brett began the topic of farm financing by discussing why alternative sources of financing are necessary, especially for small and mid-sized farms and food businesses. Brett provided examples of limited business or credit history, cost of farmland and fishing vessels, and lack of traditional collateral as contributing gaps that Farmlink fulfills with their bridge lending services. Farmlink’s bridge lending loans include operating and term loans, land and housing loans, disaster relief loans, and conservation loans. These bridge lending options create financial feasibility for small and mid-sized farm and food businesses that often struggle with large upfront investments.
Ending the Summit Stronger, Together
Tracy Celio, Program Manager for the Center, used the interactive nature of this Summit to close out with an activity that instructed partners to create a phrase or photo that would be used if the Southwest Regional Business Center created a billboard in Times Square. Participants’ phrases such as “Home is Where the Heart is, Food is Where the Farm is,” “In winter’s storm and summer’s heat, a farmer works so we can eat,” and “Southwest Region Procures 100% of Produce and Meat From Local Sources.” The inspirational billboard activity was supplemented by a closing mentimeter activity that asked for one word to define the Center Community.
This was the first All Partner gathering in 2025. Throughout this next year, the Valley Vision team looks forward to finding new ways to connect and coordinate Southwest Regional Food Business Center partners.
Join the Southwest Regional Food Business Center for our next webinar in our quarterly webinar series on April 16th from 3-4PM. Register here: http://bit.ly/swRFBCwebinar
To learn more about the Center, visit: www.swfoodbiz.org and subscribe to the newsletter: https://bit.ly/SWRFBC-Newsletter.
Contact us at info@swfoodbiz.org if you’d like to get involved.
Visit the Center’s socials here.
USDA disclosures and guidance can be found at https://bit.ly/USDAdisclosures.