| Qualifications |
Regular Members shall be technical representatives of their profession or field and advocates for economically and ecologically viable agriculture and open space in Alameda County. They shall demonstrate expertise by documented work in their field of expertise, by professional association and/or by academic achievement. They shall be able and committed to meet regularly and should be able to communicate effectively with interested members of the public.
Categories of regular members required to be Alameda County Residents:
1. Cattle/Livestock Management. Must be a large parcel owner of Alameda County (or representative) with expertise and professional involvement in cattle/livestock production;
2. Cattle/Livestock Management. Must be a small parcel owner or tenant of Alameda County (or representative) with expertise and professional involvement in cattle/livestock production;
3.Field/Row Crops Management. Must be a parcel owner or tenant of Alameda County (or representative) with expertise and professional involvement in field or row crop production;
4. Nursery/Floriculture/Horticulture Management. Must be a parcel owner or tenant of Alameda County or representative with expertise and professional involvement in the production of these materials or products;
5. Viticulture/Orchards Management. Must be a parcel owner or tenant of Alameda County or representative with expertise and professional involvement in the production of grapes or orchard produce;
6. Equestrian Management. Must have expertise and professional involvement in Alameda County as a horse facility operator, breeder, and/or trainer.
Categories of regular members that may reside outside of Alameda County in the event that desired candidates cannot be identified within the county:
1. Agritourism. Must have expertise and professional involvement operating and marketing a diversified, agriculturally-based business that derives income from tourism. Experience in Alameda County preferred;
2. Agricultural Land Trust. Must have expertise and professional involvement in the creation and maintenance of conservation easements on agricultural lands including grazing lands. This includes the development, implementation and oversight of agricultural easements. Experience in Alameda County preferred;
3. Agricultural Economics. Must have expertise and professional involvement in the economics of agriculture and agricultural enhancement programs. Experience in Alameda County preferred;
4. Recreation/Parks Management. Must have expertise and professional involvement in the management of recreation trails and parks. Experience in Alameda County preferred;
5. Resource Conservation District (RCD). Member of Alameda County resource conservation district board of directors or staff;
6. Watershed Ecology/Management. Must have expertise and professional involvement in the field regarding watershed health (including wetlands and riparian corridors), water quantity and quality, effects of irrigation projects, multiple land uses and compliance with existing regulations. Experience in Alameda County preferred;
7. Water Resources. Must have expertise and professional involvement in the field regarding agricultural water resources, quantity and quality, and the delivery of water to agriculture lands. Experience in Alameda County preferred;
8. Rangeland Ecology. Must have expertise and professional involvement in conservation and management of ecosystems on rangelands including grazing practices, wildlife management (including corridors), riparian habitat conservation, and other interactions between ranching and the natural environment. Experience in Alameda County preferred;
9. Plant Ecology. Must have expertise and professional involvement in the distribution and life histories of native and non-native plants; in the successful restoration of native flora and control of invasive plant species; and in cropland ecology. Experience in Alameda County preferred;
10. Wildlife Biology. Must have expertise and professional involvement in wildlife and wildlife habitat management (including wildlife corridors), i.e., successfully managing reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, fish, and insects. Must be knowledgeable about rare and sensitive species and possess an ability to discuss and propose effective plans for protecting those species on and around agricultural lands, parks, and open spaces. Experience in Alameda County preferred.
Ex officio members shall be the following persons: Alameda County planning director (or designee); Alameda County agricultural commissioner (or designee); Representative of: the U.S. Department of Agriculture—Natural Resources Conservation Service; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the California Department of Fish and Game; Zone 7, Alameda County flood and water conservation district; the University of California Cooperative Extension; An agricultural lending expert. |