Monthly Archives: December 2011

Extreme Climate Risks: Video from the Governor’s Conference

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary

As many of you may have seen in the news, the Governor’s Conference on Extreme Climate Risks and California’s Future, held on December 15 at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, brought together leaders on environmental issues, … Continue reading →

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My Holiday Wish – Healthy Food for Everybody

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary

The winter holidays are a special time. I find myself reflecting in astonishment about the abundance of food in California and the resilient and innovative nature of our farmers and ranchers who produce it.  Food is key to the celebrations … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Food Access | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Selling Gold for Holiday Green?

Posted on December 20, 2011 by CDFA Staff

With prices for gold and silver escalating in recent years, there has been no shortage of opportunities to sell old jewelry. A flurry of advertisements makes it seem easy. What these advertisers fail to mention is that you could lose … Continue reading →

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Modesto Bee: Woodlake kids pick gardens over gangs

Posted on December 19, 2011 by CDFA Staff

http://www.modbee.com/2011/12/18/1992926/kids-pick-gardens-over-gangs.html?story_link=email_msg When Manuel Jimenez first set eyes on the land below a levee, thick with brush and weeds, the one-time field worker envisioned a place where youngsters could escape the temptations of gang life and learn about the San Joaquin … Continue reading →

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Research is the Key: Pierce’s Disease Research Symposium

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary

I had the pleasure this week of welcoming a gathering of research scientists, grape growers, winemakers and officials to Sacramento for the 2011 Pierce’s Disease Research Symposium.  This event gives researchers from California universities and their colleagues from across the … Continue reading →

Posted in Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Pierce's Disease, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Fresno Bee – Farmers boost donations to valley’s hungry

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/12/13/2648491/farmers-give-to-valleys-hungry.html When Andy Souza, president of the Community Food Bank in Fresno, asked valley farmers for help to feed the needy, they donated by the truckload. The result, Souza said Tuesday, was 40% more produce than last year for a … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Food Access, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

News Release – CDFA annoucnes vacancies on invasive species advisory committee

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Office of Public Affairs

The California Department of Food and Agriculture, on behalf of the Invasive Species Council of California (ISCC), seeks to appoint seven (7) members to the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee (CISAC). The role of CISAC is to advise the ISCC … Continue reading →

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New USDA report shows family farmers and ranchers preparing for demands of the future

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary

The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has just released The Changing Organization of U.S. Farming, a report that shows  farmers and ranchers are on their way to accomplishing the greatest challenge of this century - sustainably meeting the food demand of the future. In … Continue reading →

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NPR – Insects find crack in biotech corn’s armor

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/12/05/143141300/insects-find-crack-in-biotech-corns-armor Hidden in the soil of Illinois and Iowa, a new generation of insect larvae appears to be munching happily on the roots of genetically engineered corn, according to scientists.   It’s bad news for corn farmers, who paid extra money … Continue reading →

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Healthy Cal – Farmers slow to adopt new pesticide

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.healthycal.org/archives/6783/print/ A year after environmentalists lost a regulatory battle to keep controversial pesticide methyl iodide off the California market, they appear to be winning the ground war against the chemical. Only six California growers have used methyl iodide—marketed as Midas—to … Continue reading →

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