Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: October 2016

Meet Kristen and Hannah. At CDFA, we think of them as the future of our agricultural community.

Internship/mentoring program brings in ag students for summer study in public service The average age of the California farmer is about 60 – and it’s rising. Here at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and on California farms, and … Continue reading

Posted in Agricultural Education | Leave a comment

Farm-to-School Month: Farm at LA continuation school – from the Los Angeles Times

By Sonali Kohli Most school days 17-year-old Alex Snyder eats lunch with a pot-bellied pig named Peanut. John R. Wooden High School is small. It doesn’t have a football field or a swimming pool or a gym. But it has a farm. And the farm … Continue reading

Posted in Agricultural Education, Food Access, Nutrition | Leave a comment

Latino Farmer Conference coming up November 15 in Monterey

The second annual Growing Together Latino Farmer Conference will be held Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, in Monterey, California. This annual conference is unique in that it is conducted in Spanish and translated into English for all attendees. “Hispanic farmers and … Continue reading

Posted in Agricultural Education, Farm Labor | Leave a comment

CDFA hosts federal officials for produce tour ahead of implementation of Food Safety Modernization Act

On January 4, 2011, President Obama signed landmark legislation – the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the most sweeping reform for food safety laws in over 70 years.  FSMA aims to create an integrated food safety system and improve the … Continue reading

Posted in Food Safety | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Marking the Eradication of the European Grapevine Moth

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross gathered with grape growers, winemakers, stakeholders and colleagues from federal and county agencies on Friday, Oct. 21 to mark a mutual achievement: eradication of the European grapevine moth (EGVM). “The growers and their communities where this … Continue reading

Posted in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Pierce's Disease, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

#Farm2Fan video series – Wine in Santa Barbara County

California Grown and Visit California are teaming up to produce the #Farm2Fan video series, profiling farms throughout California and fans of those farms who stop by for a visit.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Great California Shakeout builds earthquake awareness

CDFA employees participated this morning in the Great California Shakeout, an annual event urging people to “drop, cover and hold-on” to build awareness about earthquake safety techniques.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

CDFA and Governor Brown’s 2016 ZEV Action Plan

  CDFA’s Division of Measurement Standards (DMS) is pleased to play a key role in Governor Brown’s 2016 ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) Action Plan.  ZEV technologies include hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), which include … Continue reading

Posted in Alternative Fuels, Hydrogen, Measurement Standards, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones Honored by USDA

California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones has been honored for her extensive contributions to animal health and animal agriculture with a 2016 USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Administrator’s Award, recently bestowed by APHIS administrator Kevin Shea at … Continue reading

Posted in Animal health | 1 Comment

Video – National Farm-to-School Month

Note – October is Farm-to-School Month. CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork works to connect consumers, school districts, and others directly with California’s farmers and ranchers. The office also is committed to reducing food insecurity.   

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment