Food and Agricultural Code section 568
(a)
The secretary shall convene an 11-member Scientific Advisory Panel on Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture to advise the secretary on the implementation of research, incentive, and technical assistance grant programs for sustainable agriculture, and to assist federal, state, and local government agencies, as appropriate or necessary, on issues relating to the impact of agricultural practices on the climate, air, water, and biodiversity to do the following:(1)
Review data and compile the best available science on the impact that agriculture has on the environment and local communities and recommend to the secretary and appropriate state agencies the best available science on environmental impacts of agriculture, and practices and policies based on that information to advance the goals of this article, including Section 569.(2)
Research, review, and comment on data upon which proposed environmental policies and regulatory programs are based to ensure that the environmental impacts of agricultural activities are accurately portrayed and to identify incentives that may be provided to encourage agricultural practices with environmental benefits.(3)
Assist government agencies to incorporate policies and practices identified pursuant to paragraph (1) into environmental regulatory programs.(b)
(1)The panel shall consist of members of the public that represent scientific expertise in sustainable agriculture and members of state agencies that represent expertise in programs and policies related to agriculture. Of the members first appointed to the panel, two shall serve for a term of two years and three shall serve for a term of three years, as determined by lot. Thereafter, members shall be appointed for a term of three years, limited to two terms. The members shall be appointed as follows:(A)
Seven members shall be appointed by the secretary as follows:(i)
Four members shall have a minimum of five years of scientific training and experience in the field of agriculture, of which at least one member shall have training and field experience in on-farm management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon, or both.(ii)
Two members shall be producers, of which at least one member shall be certified as a producer pursuant to federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 6501 et seq.).(B)
Two members shall be appointed by the Secretary for Environmental Protection. One shall have a minimum of five years of training and experience in the field of human health or environmental science, and one shall have expertise in greenhouse gas emissions reductions practices related to agriculture.(C)
Two members who have a minimum of five years of training and experience in the field of resource management shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency. One member shall additionally have expertise in climate change adaptation and climate change impacts in the agricultural sector.(2)
The secretary may also appoint, in consultation with the panel, ex officio nonvoting members to the panel.(c)
The panel may establish ad hoc committees, which may include professionals, scientists, or representatives of nongovernmental entities, to assist it in performing its functions.(d)
The State Air Resources Board shall consult with the secretary and the panel, as appropriate, in developing the quantification methods described in subdivision (a) of Section 16428.9 of the Government Code as it relates to the demonstration and quantification of on-farm greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
Source:
Section 568, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAC§ionNum=568. (updated Jan. 1, 2026; accessed Dec. 15, 2025).
