Author Archives: Office of Public Affairs

California grows over 400 commodities that account for one-third of the country’s vegetable production and two-thirds of the country’s fruit and nut production. For many of these crops, there are various research and technical articles available that provide fertilization information. … Continue reading →

Note – CDFA’s Healthy Soils Initiative includes a partnership with CalRecycle.  The composting of organic waste has important benefits – improving soil health and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  From the CalRecycle blog The effects of global climate change are now upon … Continue reading →

From the USDA Each year, harmful invasive plant pests and diseases cost the United States about $40 billion in crop losses, damage to forests and vulnerable ecosystems, and expensive eradication and control efforts. It only takes one person who moves … Continue reading →

Note – With a focus on equine health, CDFA participates in  California’s Mosquito Borne Virus Disease Surveillance Program, which relies on sentinel chickens as well other approaches. Detections of viruses in horses that may have human health implications–like West Nile Virus–are … Continue reading →

Learn more about SWEEP

By Ryan Sabalow and Dale Kasler  March’s powerful storms may have saved California from having one of the worst wet seasons on record, but the state’s Sierra snowpack still remains well below average. April 1 is considered the official end … Continue reading →

By Ertharin Cousin Global public will alone will not end hunger. Increased donor support—while necessary to address immediate emergency food needs—will not create the food system improvements required for ending global hunger. Yes, even in 2016—after several years of decline—the … Continue reading →

During the week that Ag Day was celebrated in California–last week–the California Farm Bureau’s Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom teamed up with Sacramento Kings coach Dave Joerger for the first “Farm Day” in Sacramento.  CDFA Secretary Karen Ross was invited … Continue reading →