Bonnie Johnson 
December 04, 2024
Media ArticleGovernor Gavin Newsom has recently appointed Dr. Rolston St. Hilaire, Dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State, to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture.
This significant appointment places Dr. St. Hilaire in a strategic position to influence agricultural policy and education in California.
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture is a diverse group, representing various sectors including farming, ranching, community stakeholders, and academic systems from both the California State University and University of California.
The board, presided over by Fresno State alumnus Don Cameron, addresses a wide range of agricultural issues and is committed to involving the public in agricultural policy development.
Dr. St. Hilaire brings a wealth of experience to the board, with a background in horticulture and a strong commitment to food security.
He is the principal investigator for Fresno State at the Southwest USDA Regional Food Business Center. His role on the board is expected to leverage his extensive academic and practical experience to benefit agricultural policies and practices across California.
His academic journey has been robust, beginning with his undergraduate studies at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, and culminating in a PhD from Iowa State University.
He served at New Mexico State University, where he was a plant science faculty and department head, and earned recognition as a regent's professor.
Looking forward, Dr. St. Hilaire will start a one-year term as president of the American Society for Horticultural Science in August 2025, a testament to his long-standing dedication and contribution to the field of agricultural sciences.
Photo by: morningagclips.com
