SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today named seven individuals to serve on the Agricultural Education Advisory Committee. The purpose of the statewide committee is to advise the State Supervisor of Agricultural Education, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the State Board of Education on policy matters pertaining to California's program of agricultural vocational education.

The seven individuals are: Arthur "A.G." Kawamura of Irvine, John H. Hayashi of Arroyo Grande, Michael B. Stoker of Santa Maria, Denise Wollen Skidmore of Merced, Erik Vink of Davis, and Daniel E. Webb and A. Lane Therrell of Sacramento.

"These seven individuals are widely respected representatives of diverse aspects of the agricultural industry. I believe they all will make excellent contributing members of the Agricultural Education Advisory Committee. The diversity of knowledge and experiences they possess make these outstanding individuals worthy as appointees to this vital committee," said O'Connell.

Among other things, the committee advises the Superintendent on the development of curriculum and strategy for the purpose of establishing a source of trained and qualified individuals in agriculture, a strategy for articulating the state program in agricultural education throughout the state school system, and a consumer outreach strategy regarding the importance of agriculture in California.

The Agricultural Education Advisory Committee was established in 1981 and is comprised of 14 individuals with five representing agricultural educators and/or parents, and nine who represent the interests of the agricultural industry.

The committee meets three times annually with the next meeting for the new appointees scheduled April 7 in conjunction with the State Future Farmers of America Leadership Conference in Fresno. Members of the committee serve without compensation, including travel or per diem, as stipulated in statute. The State Supervisor of Agricultural Education serves the committee as a consultant.