Author Archives: Office of Public Affairs

By Mindy Robinson Prior to the pandemic, SunTerra Produce enjoyed an excellent reputation as a grower, packer, and shipper of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Newport Beach, CA-based operation partners with more than 14 farms in the U.S. and Mexico, adhering to … Continue reading →

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) co-sponsored, attended and presented at the sixth annual Latino Farmer Conference on February 11. The virtual conference presented in Spanish was held to facilitate the creation of networks and provide pertinent information … Continue reading →

A news release from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service SACRAMENTO, CA – February 10, 2021 – The 2020 crush totaled 3,542,038 tons, down 13.9% from the 2019 crush of 4,115,413 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share … Continue reading →

By John Holland Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked for $88.6 million to build a livestock health lab in Turlock much better than the one already there. Backers say the project would help assure safe food for humans while containing diseases … Continue reading →

Tulare’s annual World Ag Expo will go on after all — online, that is — with expectations for participants and exhibitors from around the world. Scheduled to kick off Tuesday and run through Thursday, the event now in its 54th year has … Continue reading →

By Jules Bernstein There’s a better end for used food than taking up space in landfills and contributing to global warming.  UC Riverside scientists have discovered fermented food waste can boost bacteria that increase crop growth, making plants more resistant … Continue reading →

A University of California, San Francisco study of the jobs at most risk for death from COVID-19 shows line cooks, machine operators, agricultural workers, bakers, and construction laborers at the top of the list. The study looked at occupational sectors … Continue reading →

The USDA has released its annual count of certified organic operations calculated from the USDA National Organic Program  Organic INTEGRITY Database. The number of certified organic operations worldwide grew to 45,578 in 2020 with 28,454 — more than 62 percent … Continue reading →

Conference on sterile insects set for February 4 The California Department of Food and Agriculture will host a forum on Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) on February 4 via Zoom, at 8:30 am.     SIT is a key component in CDFA’s … Continue reading →

USDA NRCS News Release A new Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas reduction study reveals that from 2004 to 2018, more than 367,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalents were sequestered or GHGs reduced by installing NRCS working … Continue reading →