Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Agricultural Marketing


Secretary Ross meets with US Trade Representative’s chief agricultural negotiator

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross met today in Sacramento with the US Trade Representative’s chief agricultural negotiator, Doug McKalip. The discussion centered on international trade opportunities for California’s farmers and ranchers. California is the nation’s leading agricultural exporter, with more than … Continue reading

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2022 Census of Agriculture is here!

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed an invitation to respond online to the 2022 Census of Agriculture on November 22. A paper questionnaire will follow in December and responses are due February 6, 2023 either online, by mail, or … Continue reading

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CDFA Launches Farm2Food Accelerator Program to Empower Small Business Growth for Women, Minorities, and Small-Scale Farms and Ranches

Applications are Open and Classes begin in November. Classes are also available in Spanish with bilingual instruction and curriculum. CDFA is partnering with the NASDA Foundation (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture) to launch a Farm2Food Accelerator Program in … Continue reading

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USDA announcement for Commodity Container Assistance Program includes Port of Oakland

From a USDA news release USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications for the Commodity Container Assistance Program (CCAP), which currently includes a partnership with the Port of Oakland and the … Continue reading

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CDFA helps ensure that California cherries meet industry standards and consumer expectations

Did you know that CDFA’s Shipping Point Inspection Program conducts cherry inspections at packing houses to help ensure that California cherries meet state and national standards? Packing houses are hard at work this month to get freshly-picked California cherries to … Continue reading

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CDFA partners with community colleges to launch export training program

CDFA is partnering with the State Center Community College District and the Fresno Center for International Trade Development to launch an export training program for California food and agriculture companies. This training program, focusing on new-to-export agricultural businesses, will help … Continue reading

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Apple Hill: a mainstay of California agritourism

For nearly 60 years, Apple Hill has delighted visitors with delicious, crisp apples, fresh squeezed apple cider, and beautiful scenic views. Located along the Sierra foothill of Placerville, between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, the Apple Hill Growers Association represents 50 … Continue reading

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CA Grown kicks off “California Happy Hour at Home” campaign at Raley’s

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined California Grown today for the unveiling of “California Happy Hour at Home,” an event at all Raley’s stores in California to promote California Grown products like wine, cheese, figs, grapes, pears and avocados. Pictured from … Continue reading

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International Flavor at World Ag Expo 2020

More than a dozen countries are represented in this year’s World Ag Expo in Tulare, California. The three-day event that runs from February 11 – 13 draws thousands of visitors from all reaches of the state and from throughout the … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross tours World Ag Expo in Tulare

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross toured the exhibit grounds this afternoon at World Ag Expo in Tulare, including visits to CDFA booths and conversations with farmers and ranchers who traveled from throughout the state and beyond to take in the annual … Continue reading

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