MENDOTA, Calif. - The state Board of Food and Agriculture will meet here Sept. 11 to discuss water policy issues relating to farmers.

The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spreckels Sugar Co. facility, 29400 West Whitesbridge Road.

Speakers at the meeting will explore how "we work together to improve the already strong strides agriculture has taken" in developing on-farm solutions to improve water quality and ground water management, CDFA secretary Karen Ross said in a statement.

California State University-Fresno's Center for Irrigation Technology estimates that agriculture uses about 40 percent of dedicated water statewide, with urban and environmental uses making up the balance.

The board is working to implement the 2010 California Agricultural Vision, which called for securing an adequate supply of water for agricultural purposes and adopting a policy of conserving agricultural land and water resources.

Scheduled speakers at the meeting include representatives from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, The Pacific Institute, the Association of California Water Agencies, Westlands Water District and other entities.

The board advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural and consumer issues.