Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: January 2016

World Economic Forum commits to reducing food waste

At the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, a coalition of 30 leaders – Champions 12.3 – launched a new effort to inspire ambition and mobilize action to reduce food loss and waste globally. This leadership group aims to accelerate progress … Continue reading

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California Agricultural Mediation Program a new resource to help farmers resolve problems

Farmers and ranchers are a self-reliant group. They can tune and service tractor engines, repair irrigation systems, and find a way to fix all kinds of broken farm equipment. But there are other kinds of problems they face where they … Continue reading

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Ag statistics for 2014 show trends for farm sales, exports

In 2014, the most recent year for which a full crop-year report is available, California’s 76,400 farms and ranches received approximately $54 billion for their output. This represents an increase of 5.1 percent over 2013. California is the leading US … Continue reading

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Dogs enlisted to help protect citrus – from California Ag Today

By Charmayne Hefley Animals have been known to be able to use their senses to detect things that humans require extensive technology to detect. Mary Palm, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) national coordinator for citrus pest programs, said dogs … Continue reading

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Ag seeks Silicon Valley’s help to satisfy world food demand – from thinkprogress.org

By Natasha Geiling Though it’s just an hour south of California’s Silicon Valley, the Salinas Valley — better known for churning out lettuce and tomatoes than the world’s newest tech devices — might as well be a world away. In … Continue reading

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A brief history of the navel orange in California – from the Sacramento Bee

By David Boule’ This winter growing season marks the 140th anniversary since the Washington navel orange was first picked and enjoyed in California. Its success and heritage – by way of Goa, Portugal and Brazil – is one of the … Continue reading

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Learn more about the California Water Fix

External video – no longer available Visit the California Water Fix web site

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Winegrowers and cattle ranchers shine at Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards

Each year Governor Brown sponsors GEELA, the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations for exceptional achievements in conservation and environmental stewardship. It is the state’s highest environmental honor. GEELA is a partnership with Cal-EPA, CDFA, … Continue reading

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New air quality incentives from USDA NRCS for nut farmers to utilize low-emission harvesters

California air quality should get a boost from farmers using lower emission harvesting equipment, according to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in California.  Beginning in 2016, the agency is offering a new incentive option for almond and walnut farmers (and … Continue reading

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White House calls for initiative to advance ag research

From the White House blog post “Food and Agriculture for the 21st Century” Summary: The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is calling for a new commitment to research and education in food and agriculture from all sectors. … Continue reading

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