Board Names Tobias to Agriculture Panel

Bob Tobias, a longtime Ventura County grower and a leading opponent of the city of Ventura’s slow-growth measures, is the Board of Supervisors’ newest appointee to the Agricultural Advisory Committee.

The 10-member county committee advises the board on agricultural matters, reviews land-use issues and serves as a liaison to the farming industry.

The supervisors voted unanimously to appoint the Ventura resident to the post on Tuesday, with Supervisor Maggie Kildee absent.

“[Tobias] comes from a longtime agricultural family and he is well-versed in all the issues,” Supervisor John K. Flynn said in an interview. “I would want a person to be versed in agricultural issues and a person committed to farming and agriculture, and that is what he is.”

Tobias, 49, is operations manager for Mission Produce Inc., an Oxnard-based avocado marketing and shipping firm. Tobias served as chairman of Farmers, Families and Friends Against Irresponsible Regulations (FAIR) during the organization’s campaign to defeat greenbelt measures I and J.

Only Measure I passed, prohibiting urban development on farmland around the city unless a majority of the voters approve the growth. Farmers say the measure is poorly thought out and violates their property rights.

Tobias, who learned he was tapped to serve on the committee late Wednesday afternoon, said he was pleased with the appointment.

“I look forward to learning more about the [committee] process and the county,” Tobias said. “I think it is really important that we continue to have as much dialogue as possible between agriculture and the county.”

Tobias said that he is aware that slow-growth advocates plan to launch a countywide greenbelt measure, but that he is not sure about what position he will take on the issue.

“A countywide initiative is a totally different animal,” Tobias said. “I don’t have any preconceived notions as to whether a countywide . . . initiative is a good thing or a bad thing.”