BERKELEY -- The University of California’s Giannini Foundation is sponsoring the “California Agriculture: Dimensions and Issues� conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 28, at the Red Lion Hotel in Sacramento.

Topics include international trade and California agriculture, marketing, farm labor, the significance of agriculture to the state’s economy and public policy, science and technology, and the future of California agriculture.

“California Agriculture: Dimensions and Issues,� also a book recently published by University of California faculty and UC Cooperative specialists in agricultural and resource economics, is the basis for the conference. The one-day conference is designed to spark dialogue between growers, people from industry, policy-makers and the academic authors of the book.

A roundtable discussion about the significance of California agriculture for the state’s economy and public policy is scheduled for 2 p.m. Participants will include Cornelius Gallagher, senior vice president of Bank of America; Martha Guzman, California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation; Mark Rentz, vice president of environmental and legal affairs for the California Forestry Association; Thomas A. Nassif, CEO of Western Growers Association; UC Cooperative Extension agricultural economists Jerry Siebert and Alvin Sokolow; and Daniel Sumner, director of the UC Agricultural Issues Center.

Registration is $75, $50 for employees of nonprofit organizations and $25 for students. Registration includes a signed copy of the book, “California Agriculture: Dimensions and Issues,� a continental breakfast, lunch and a reception.

For online registration or more information, go to http://giannini.ucop.edu or contact Amy Stewart at (510) 642-5440 or amys@are.berkeley.edu.