Dr. Amrith Gunasekara recently joined the California Bountiful Foundation as its new Director of Science and Research. He will conduct and support scientific studies on critical matters affecting California agricultural communities.
Gunasekara previously served as the Science Advisor to California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, and as Environmental Program Manager for the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation at CDFA, which specialized in environmental incentive programs and climate change issues.
At 16-years-old, Gunasekara came to the United States from Sri Lanka where food security was an issue. He says that gives him an appreciation
for what California's farmers and ranchers do for their communities on a daily basis that we often take for granted.
Also supporting the Foundation is Tad Bell, Senior Research Advisor, to help guide the foundation's ongoing development of best available data and research results for use in the public policy arena on behalf of California's farmers and ranchers. Bell, a former undersecretary at CDFA, brings 36 years of leadership experience in problem solving and crisis management skills in public and private sectors. He's widely respected among diverse agricultural and local, state and federal government constituencies.
“Our goal is to create a program that provides the farmers and ranchers of California with the most recent science and research while influencing policy to benefit the state’s agriculture. We aim to be a one-stop shop for the agricultural community as a place to get science and research done.”
—Dr. Amrith Gunasekara
California has long been a land of plenty, but farmers, ranchers, and timber producers are faced with increasing challenges to their livelihoods. Water continues to be scarce, costs of production are rising, and there is constant pressure to produce more with less. The California Bountiful Foundation is committed to sustaining California’s agricultural heritage, natural resources, and resident health by addressing the following key issues through research and education:
Under the auspices of the California Farm Bureau, the California Bountiful Foundation will continue to support science that gives tools and a voice to agricultural community members dealing with these challenges.
In keeping with this mission, the Foundation has already supported research that highlights the economic realities tied to policymaker proposals on organic production targets as well as limits to certain pesticide registered uses, accurate water use figures in California agriculture, the impact of septic systems on nitrates and groundwater quality in the Southern Central Valley, and more.
With your support, the California Bountiful Foundation will engage and act as a scientific clearinghouse on emerging research topics such as climate-smart agriculture, agricultural technologies, food and water security, and forest management: a place where science and data serves California's agricultural heritage, natural resources, and resident health.
Rooted in California
In 1919, the California Farm Bureau was formed primarily as a partnership between farmers, ranchers and academia to enhance ag land productivity and provide greater access to nutritious food for all.
More than a century later, we are still pursuing that mission by investing in and reinvigorating the California Bountiful Foundation—the research arm of the Farm Bureau.
Dedicated to Our Future
With your help, the California Bountiful Foundation will collaborate, lead and fund research to benefit all Californians involved in agriculture. This research is crucial to impacting policy and legislation to advocate for agricultural sustainability and food security for generations to come.
Together, we will sustain the rich tradition of agriculture in this state—and a way of life for farmers, ranchers and foresters who call it home.
Partner with us in creating a bountiful future for all Californians with your support of the California Bountiful Foundation.
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