Monthly Archives: May 2012

Sacramento Bee – Two organic certifying agencies plan merger to become nation’s largest

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/29/4521806/two-organic-certifying-agencies.html California Certified Organic Farmers and Oregon Tilth, two of the nation’s largest third-party organic certification agencies, are joining forces in hopes of raising the visibility and consolidating the clout of West Coast organic farming. A merger was approved by … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Food Access, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Managing Agricultural Nitrogen” – Educational Forum Scheduled

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, CDFA Science Advisor

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is partnering with the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR)  to offer a timely and educational workshop for farmers and other stakeholders to … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, Climate Change, Environment | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Pest and Disease Prevention Projects Get a Boost from USDA

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary

California’s approach to pests and diseases is as complex as the problem itself, but perhaps the most important element of our efforts is prevention.  Prevention projects in California and throughout the nation have been given a much needed boost from … Continue reading →

Posted in Farm Bill, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

California Leopold Conservation Award: Nominate Your Favorite Farmer or Rancher!

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary

In the eyes of conservationist Aldo Leopold, an ethical relationship between the land and the people who benefit from it was “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.” His vision of a “land ethic” is what drives the search for … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Environment | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

From USDA: Update from APHIS Regarding a Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States

Posted on May 21, 2012 by CDFA Staff

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2012/05/bse_update_statement.shtml On  April 24, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed  the nation’s 4th case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in an animal  that was sampled for the disease at a rendering facility in central California.  This animal … Continue reading →

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World Metrology Day 2012 Honors the “Weight of the World”

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Kristin Macey, Director, CDFA Division of Measurement Standards

First things first: this blog post is about metrology, not meteorology. Meteorology is the study of the Earth’s atmosphere and weather. Metrology is the science of measurement. Both are important sciences that impact our everyday lives, but in different ways. A little … Continue reading →

Posted in Measurement Standards, Trade, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

From the Packer – California cantaloupe growers back mandatory food safety

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/California-growers-back-mandatory-cantaloupe-food-safety-151781935.html In the wake of a listeria outbreak linked to cantaloupes from another state, the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board is establishing the state’s first mandatory food safety program implemented by a commodity board. The group is also expanding its territory … Continue reading →

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California Agriculture License Plate to make offical debut in 2013

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary

We did it! Congratulations to the agricultural community, FFA and everyone who made this opportunity to create a  California agriculture license plate a reality! We have collected 8,355 plate orders  – meeting DMV’s threshold of 7,500 applications to establish a California … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education | 1 Comment

Still the People’s Agency 150 Years Later – Happy Birthday, USDA!

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary

For producers and consumers of food, this is a sesquicentennial like no other. Two weeks ago, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Morrill Act, the single piece of legislation that laid the foundation for the modern … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Alternative Fuels, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Climate Change, Community-based Food System, Dairy, Environment, Farm Bill, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, Food Safety, Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, HLB, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Pierce's Disease, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Save Our Citrus – CDFA Protects Against Threat of Huanglongbing

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

CDFA has produced a video showing efforts to protect against the fatal citrus disease huanglongbing, or citrus greening, following its detection in Los Angeles County:

Posted in Asian Citrus Psyllid, HLB, Invasive Species, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment