Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: July 2015

El Nino likely coming, but will it make a difference? From the Sacramento Bee

By Phillip Reese The El Niño weather pattern often brings deluges to California, quickly dropping inches of rain in what climatologists liken to turning on a fire hose. Except when it doesn’t. Except when it brings no extra rain. El … Continue reading

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Water-saving tips offered at California State Fair – from Capital Press

By Tim Hearden SACRAMENTO — Water-saving tips to weather the drought are key features at this year’s California State Fair, which runs through July 26. The state Department of Water Resources’ award-winning “Californians Don’t Waste — Save Water in Your … Continue reading

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USDA and NASA expand partnership to monitor drought and predict wildfires from space

Meeting at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA, USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden and NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman have announced an expanded partnership between the two agencies to better protect America’s working lands, predict and prevent natural … Continue reading

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Summer Harvest postage stamps introduced at California State Fair

CDFA secretary Karen Ross joined California State Fair CEO Rick Pickering and US Postal Service officials to introduce a new series of postage stamps,  “Summer Harvest,” during the fair’s current run at Cal Expo. The stamps depict watermelon, corn, cantaloupe … Continue reading

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Drought drives California ranchers to thin herds – from KQED

By Alice Daniel Rancher Gary Tarbell stands in the sale barn at the Tulare County Stockyard watching as cattle pass through a gate, into a ring and, one by one, are sold to the highest bidder. “They’re going out of … Continue reading

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Don’t reverse progress toward healthier school lunches – op-ed from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack

The School Nutrition Association is hosting its annual national conference this week in Salt Lake City.  As parents, you trust your family pediatrician to help you make informed choices about your children’s health — not politicians or special interests. That’s … Continue reading

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Young people carry-on farming and ranching traditions at California State Fair – from the Sacramento Bee

By Jeanne Kuang Abby Garrett took some of her first steps as a baby in a sheep’s pen. After that time, the 14-year-old said, “sheep became my life.” Garrett, whose family has raised livestock for generations, is showing sheep at … Continue reading

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Water and energy savings at new “Green” processing plant for Northern California lamb supplier

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California field crop acreages shrinking amid drought – from Capital Press

By Tim Hearden A continued lack of water availability is causing field crop acreages in California to dip even lower than expected, government and industry representatives say. Rice acreage in California is now expected to top out at 385,000, a … Continue reading

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Apps Help Farmers With Efficiency During Drought – from Capital Public Radio

By Lesley McClurg As the drought continues and the weather heats up, California farmers are grappling with how to allocate dwindling water supplies. Patrick Dosier, an independent agronomist and agriculture tech consultant, says smartphone or tablet apps can help with … Continue reading

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