In the last issue of the California Tomato Grower, Donald Gordon Jr., President of the Agricultural Council of California, examined the planned budget cuts for the University of California's agricultural research and extension budget.  In this issue, Farm Advisor Mike Murray sheds more light on the subject as he talks specifically about how California's budget crisis will impact the processing tomato industry and the work of the University of California ag extension agents.

It is not a pretty picture but we should work to make the best of a bad situation.  Varying estimates put the California budget deficit at $25-$35 billion over the next 18 months.  Cuts are going to be made in virtually all areas of government.  The processing tomato industry, as well as every other industry, is going to feel the impact of this budget crisis.  Government services will be reduced and costs will rise.

In our estimation, however, the Governor should take a measured approach to the problem.  This is a good opportunity to examine the many areas in which government is involved in our lives, and determine which of those areas are in the best interest of the citizens of this state.  We are not in favor of an across-the-board reduction.  It is clear that some programs are underfunded while others have outlived their usefulness.  This crisis is an opportunity to take a hard look at the current governmental activities and determine how our tax dollars can be utilized in the most efficient way.

If such an approach is used, I believe agriculture will show its worth.  Over the years, public investment in the agricultural sector has returned rich dividends to the state and its citizens providing an abundance of fresh/processed fruits and vegetables for the nation.  This is the state's number one industry providing one in 10 jobs in California and has proved highly productive with the government support that we have received.

In last month's issue, Gordon argues that "the world-class reputation of U.C. as an agricultural research institution could be permanently impaired" if the budget cuts are deep.  In this month's pages, Murray points out that the efforts of the Farm Advisor have evolved over the years, and today the goal of extending basic agricultural research into the community benefits all citizens of the state.

High profile efforts by special interests in an effort to save their existing programs will not solve the budget crisis.  A comprehensive re-evaluation of the productive and efficient use of our tax dollars will lead to a substantial savings with a minimum amount of disruption.

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