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Agricultural commissioner updates board on new AgPass program and training for emergency access
Summary
Yolo County Ag Commissioner reported on implementation of the AB 1103 AgPass program that requires training and identification for commercial agricultural operators seeking access to evacuated areas to tend livestock and crops during emergencies.
Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner Roberto Vizcadre updated the board on the implementation of the new AgPass program (authorized by Assembly Bill 1103) during the March 25 meeting. The program establishes a voluntary, trained‑access credential for commercial agricultural producers to allow controlled entry to evacuated areas during declared emergencies.
The county's AgPass training was developed in coordination with the UC Cooperative Extension (livestock and natural resources adviser), the Yolo County Sheriff's Office (law enforcement checkpoint procedures) and CAL FIRE (fire behavior and field safety). The commissioner said his office maintains the list of approved participants and issues identification to trained commercial producers.
Commissioner Roberto Vizcadre explained the eligibility criteria: applicants must document commercial agricultural operations (not backyard hobby producers) and complete required training covering safety, evacuation protocol and law‑enforcement checkpoint procedures. County staff will coordinate with public safety officials prior to any evacuation to authorize AgPass holders to conduct narrowly defined activities (watering livestock, limited crop care, irrigation) while public safety personnel retain authority over checkpoint access.
County staff emphasized that AgPass does not guarantee entry; law enforcement and incident commanders make the final access decisions based on safety. The board asked about outreach to rural producers and the first training sessions; the commissioner said the county has begun trainings and will maintain a database of approved pass holders.
The briefing was informational; the board did not take formal action.
