Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: June 2015

Video: Why does half of America’s food go to waste? from NPR and PBS

Posted in Food Access, Food Safety, Nutrition | Leave a comment

USDA Seeks Partner Proposals to Protect and Restore Critical Wetlands

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the availability of $17.5 million in financial and technical assistance to help eligible conservation partners voluntarily protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands on private and tribal agricultural lands. “USDA has leveraged partnerships to accomplish … Continue reading

Posted in Conservation, Environment | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

CDFA farmers market coupons aim to promote healthy senior eating – from the Turlock Journal

By Alysson Aredas To the Stanislaus County Area Agency on Aging, a coupon is more than just a piece of paper. Rather, the Seniors Farmers Market coupon booklet the organization has distributed to local seniors for over a decade helps … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Drought response efforts making a difference in hardest-hit rural communities

When you type “East Porterville” into your trusty search engine, it offers a few suggested phrases before you even get to the “-ville” part: “water crisis” and “drought.” It’s no secret that this part of California is feeling the brunt … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Drought | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

From USDA: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces $150 Million, New Partnership to Support Water Quality and Quantity in Drought-Stricken California

Resilient Lands and Waters partnership will focus public and private resources towards conserving and restoring the Sierra-Cascade California Headwaters Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today joined Interior Deputy Secretary Mike Connor and California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird to announce … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Drought, Environment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Avian Influenza Update for Backyard Bird Owners, Commercial Poultry Farmers

New Requirements for Bringing Poultry, Eggs, and Related Products into California Parts of the Midwest are dealing with a serious and ongoing outbreak of avian influenza, so California is taking extra steps to protect birds here. Poultry farmers, veterinarians and … Continue reading

Posted in Animal Welfare, Food Safety | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Southern California remains robust food producer, maintains strong commitment to feed the hungry

You have to go back more than 70 years to get a view of a very different Southern California. Long before urban and suburban post-war development blossomed around Los Angeles, the region was a major agricultural producer. Citrus was the … Continue reading

Posted in Drought, Food Access | Leave a comment

Modesto Bee editorial: Pope, farmers have more in common than they know

From the Modesto Bee editorial board: Two stories caught our interest this week that centered on folks who might not seem to have much in common – Pope Francis and some Central Valley farmers. The first story was a look … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Dairy, Environment | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Small Potatoes’ – from the Growing California video series

The latest installment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Small Potatoes.”  

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Sacramento Bee editorial on Japanese Beetle eradication program

By the Sacramento Bee Editorial Board Like so many other living things, Japanese beetles find California’s climate to be ideal, and they absolutely love the food, a little too much. These guests are unwanted, and worse, a threat. Fearing that … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment