Farmer Equity Act of 2017.

Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture, headed by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. This bill would enact the Farmer Equity Act of 2017 and would require the department to ensure the inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as defined, in the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of food and agriculture laws, regulations, and policies and programs, as specified. The bill would require the secretary to create a position within the department's executive office to support the department's efforts to include socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in its policies and programs, as specified. The bill would require the department on or before January 1, 2020, to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on efforts to serve socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and female farmers and ranchers in California and include recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on how to improve processes to include socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.