Encompassing Colusa County, Lake County, Napa County, Sonoma County, and Yolo County, California’s 4th Assembly District is headed by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry. Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry serves as the Majority Leader and is an active member of the Assembly Committees on Agriculture, Health, and Transportation, and the Select Committee on Building a Zero-Carbon Hydrogen Economy, and is the Chair of the Select Committee on Wine. Her roots in agriculture have made her a champion of sustainable farming and environmental protection.
The following article explores her background, legislation, and future work, including insights and conversations the Leprendo team received from her.
Early Life and Agricultural Roots
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry’s love for agriculture started in her early childhood. Growing up in Winters, California, she was involved in cutting apricots in the packing shed and helping her father in the family’s walnut orchards. Today, she continues to harbor her passion for agriculture by co-owning an 80-acre walnut orchard with her brothers. Her lifelong commitment to agriculture has influenced her insight into the real-life experiences of farmers. Reflecting on the struggles encountered by Californian farmers, she says, “Californians are aware of how important our agriculture and agricultural history is to our state, but I think sometimes they really don’t appreciate how good we have it. Protecting our standards, and our brand, is incredibly important to me. Our farmers produce the best quality food, but they also adhere to the toughest labor and environmental standards in the world. Over the past 8 years we have done our best to respect that if we ask the most of our agriculture industry, we owe it to them to protect them in the worldwide market.”
Legislative Achievements
Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry is currently working to protect and foster sustainable practices that safeguard District 4’s farmers and agriculture, mainly through her legislative work. The following section focuses on AB 535, AB 958 and AB 2348.
AB 535: California Olive Oil Labeling
One of Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry’s notable bills is Assembly Bill 535, which addresses the labeling of California olive oil. AB 535 requires companies to disclose the minimum percentage of California olives used in their products on the front of the container, in the same font and size as the term “California.” This legislation aims to ensure transparency in the olive oil industry, support local olive growers, and prevent misleading labeling practices.
Curry acknowledged the bill’s impact, stating, “Labeling has changed and I hear weekly from Californians who now know to look for California Olive Oil. AB 535 was a major victory for California farmers’ ability to separate themselves at the grocery stores. I was able to push for another California product with two bills the past two years.”
AB 958: Local, Organic Food in Schools
The second bill Curry established to improve agricultural products and conditions in District 4 is AB 958.
In Winters, the community where Aguiar-Curry lives, a successful Farm to School Program had been in place for years. This program created partnerships between local farms and schools and improved the health outcomes of county citizens. Influenced by the program’s positive impact, Aguiar-Curry championed the cause of bringing local, organic food to schools throughout District 4 in Assembly Bill 958. Aguiar-Curry says, “…AB 2348 was part of an effort that now sparked a movement to promote fresh food for our children, and even fresh food in health plans for preventative care.”
Introduced in February 2019, the bill has been implemented by amending “the Education Bond ..to allow grants to schools for kitchen facilities to prepare fresh food.” It intended to provide children with healthier meal options, and supports local farmers. Currently, the benefits include improved health outcomes for children, reduced pesticide exposure, increased economic benefits for the district, support for California’s organic farming sector.
AB 2348: California Winter Rice Habitat Incentive Program
Another significant legislative effort by Aguiar-Curry is the California Winter Rice Habitat Incentive Program, established through Assembly Bill 2348. Signed by Governor Jerry Brown, this program is supported by $5 million in the 2018-19 Budget. The program incentivizes farmers to flood their rice fields during the winter months. According to Curry, the bill has been “successfully implemented” and “all of the funding was distributed and conservation and Ag groups are seeking more money.” This practice provides numerous environmental benefits, such as improving soil health, creating wetland habitats for birds, and supporting fish nurseries.
Environmental Legislation Package
In addition to these specific bills, Aguiar-Curry has successfully passed a comprehensive suite of environmental policies through the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. Specifically, AB 144, AB 815, and AB 1237 aim to transform California’s approach to recycling and organic waste management. These bills aim to improve recycling practices, reduce waste, and promote the environmentally beneficial diversion of organic materials.
Current Work
Curry is currently working on AB 2606 and is “hopeful it will be signed which establishes California’s first Agave Commission that we will continue to keep our farmers competitive”. She remains committed to the cause, and when asked about her upcoming legislation, she said, “I’m always seeking ways to protect California agriculture and California standards. I’m sure we’ll find other products or categories of products to move that ball forward. We’ve been working hard on organic waste to clean energy legislation for some time. And, we’ve been trying to protect the legal cannabis industry by banning intoxicating hemp products, after my bill, AB 45 from three years ago legalized non-intoxicating hemp CBD products in our state.”
Conclusion
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry’s journey from her early days in the walnut orchards to her current role as a state assemblymember is a testament to her commitment to agriculture. Her efforts to increase labelling accuracy, provide organic foods to public schools, and improve recycling practices have had a positive impact on her community. Through her legislation, Representative Aguiar-Curry continues to champion the causes of sustainable farming, food security, and environmental conservation, ensuring a brighter future for California’s agricultural sector and its residents.
Acknowledgements
This research was conducted in collaboration with Leprendo.com, a social marketplace dedicated to connecting consumers with farmers, while sharing the unique stories behind the food we eat. Leprendo aims to foster deeper connections between buyers and producers, promoting transparency and sustainability in every transaction.
The Leprendo team extends our most sincere gratitude to Assemblywoman Cecilia-Aguiar Curry and her team at Assembly Majority Leaders Staff for their time and communication.
