The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss water trading and futures, with a specific focus on the Nasdaq Veles California Water Index at its upcoming meeting.

The board will hear from water stakeholders, financial entities and businesses involved in the establishment and launch of the Index.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. via GoToWebinar. Access the meeting here: the webinar ID is 147-182-363.

In addition to the water futures discussion, the board will have an update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution for the food and agriculture sector by the California Department of Public Health.

“Even with our recent rainfall, we are looking at the potential for dry conditions ahead,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This makes the work of water districts, groundwater sustainability agencies, and the state’s farmers and ranchers all the more critical in sustainably managing this precious resource.”

Invited speakers include Dr. Ron Chapman, California Department of Public Health; Tim McCourt, CME Group; Clay Landry, WestWater Research; Patrick Wolf, Nasdaq; David Guy, Northern California Water Association; Amer Hussain, Geosyntec Consultants; Roland Fumasi, Rabobank; Ellen Hanak, Public Policy Institute of California and other invited speakers.

“Agriculture is all about innovations on the farm,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “Water trading – both surface and groundwater will remain a significant tool for farmers and ranchers. New approaches to managing the volatility of water pricing are intriguing, but in the end we need to see how this benefits water deliveries to farmers and our communities.”

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs.

The board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials; agricultural representatives; and citizens to discuss current issues and concerns to California agriculture.

This meeting will have simultaneous audio translation in Spanish and can be accessed at 844-460-0074 at the start of the meeting.

Follow the board on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard.