Monthly Archives: August 2012

Creative Solutions Bring National Recognition for CDFA’s Division of Information Technology

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Robert Schmidt, CDFA Director of Information Technology

There are two widely-known trends affecting the way state government does business in California. One, of course, is the remarkable advance of technology, and the other is a challenging budget climate that has altered assumptions in the workplace. In information … Continue reading →

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Celebrate National Honey Month by Learning about Honey Bee Haven at UC Davis

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

With the month of Septepmber–National Honey Month–just ahead, it’s a good time to feature The Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven -a half-acre bee-friendly garden next to the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis.  The garden is designed to provide bees with a year-around … Continue reading →

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The Award-Winning European Grapevine Moth Eradication Program

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Dr. Robert Leavitt, Director, CDFA Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services

Several years ago, CDFA detected a new pest in California – the European grapevine moth, an invasive species that targets a number of plants, notably grapes. Because California is the leading grape producer in the country and one of the … Continue reading →

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Rooftop farms flourish in space-starved Hong Kong

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://phys.org/news/2012-08-rooftop-farms-flourish-space-starved-hong.html   Against a backdrop of skyscrapers and jungle-clad hills, earth-filled boxes are spread out on the roof of the 14-storey building, where a wide variety of produce including cucumbers and potatoes are cultivated. It is one of several such … Continue reading →

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News Release – Medfly Infestation Triggers Quarantine in Rancho Cucamonga Area

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=12-031 A quarantine has been declared due to a Mediterranean fruit fly infestation detected in the Rancho Cucamonga area of San Bernardino County. Three adult males and one unmated female were detected in two traps on August 16, 2012. The … Continue reading →

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News Release – California Releases 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.resources.ca.gov/docs/Final_Bioenergy_Action_Plan_Release_8-22-12.pdf California state agencies today released the 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan to accelerate clean energy development, job creation, and protection of public health and safety. Bioenergy is energy produced from organic waste such as agricultural, forest and urban wastes that … Continue reading →

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Statement from Secretary Ross on Food Safety Efforts by California Cantaloupe Growers

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary

You may have heard about recent illnesses and two deaths linked to cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana. I am very concerned to learn about the severity of this outbreak. My heart goes out to those affected and their loved ones. … Continue reading →

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Fairs and Farmers are Key Partners with Local Food Banks

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

The success of food banks is based on relationships in local communities with individuals, faith-based organizations, retailers and food service businesses -just to name a few.  Additional partnerships with food producers and processors assist with sourcing local, fresh foods that can be … Continue reading →

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News Release – Vacancy on Fertilizer Technical Advisory Committee

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=12-030 SACRAMENTO, August, 15, 2012 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing a vacancy on the Fertilizer Research and Education Program’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee. This subcommittee reviews and recommends fertilizer research and education programs to CDFA’s Fertilizer … Continue reading →

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Steam shown to kill sudden oak death pathogen- From SF Chronicle

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/Steam-shown-to-kill-Calif-plant-disease-3788696.php Scientists say they have discovered a new way to kill California’s most virulent forest- and plant-depleting disease, and it turns out the technique is as old as steam cleaning. Steam, in fact, is what researchers at Dominican University in … Continue reading →

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