Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: AG Vision


Earth Day and Farming

As the daughter of a farmer, I grew up with a love of the land and a deep respect for nature – you might say a native understanding that every day was Earth Day. My father worked the land. He … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Alternative Fuels, Cannella Panel, Climate Change, Environment, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Secretary Ross – We must work together to help prevent invasive species

The USDA has announced that it’s dedicating the month of April to sharing information about the threat that invasive plant pests, diseases and harmful weeds pose to America’s fruits, vegetables, trees, and other plants—and how the public can help prevent … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Community-based Food System, Farmers' Markets, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Specialty Crops, Trade | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

State Vet Dr. Annette Whiteford Named Chair of National Institute of Animal Agriculture

One of the best things about the California Department of Food and Agriculture is the talented group of people who work here. We have dedicated public servants with deep expertise in their chosen fields and a passion for making our … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Animal Welfare, Community-based Food System, Dairy, Food Access, Food Safety, Trade | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A look back at last week’s Ag Day festivities

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Community-based Food System, Food Access, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Ag Day – A Celebration of the Future

I am blessed to be in my 15th month as California’s secretary of agriculture. In my travels around the state, I have gained a new appreciation for the miracles that farmers and ranchers create every day, against considerable odds. As … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

News Advisory – Ag Day on March 21

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=12-007 WHAT: Ag Day 2012 is the California agricultural community’s annual opportunity to give legislators, Capitol staffers and the public a chance to see what’s new down on the farm. California’s farmers and ranchers provide food, fiber, flowers and more … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing | Tagged | Leave a comment

Connecting Consumers to Farmers and Farmers to Resources – the New Food Compass

From my experience at the USDA, I know the great wealth of data the agency has at its fingertips. With the release of the new Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food website tool – the food compass – resources and … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Environment, Food Access, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Nitrogen management – a key issue in farming

Nitrogen, an essential plant nutrient for food crops, is a hot topic right now in California agriculture. Next week, a team of university researchers is scheduled to release a report on nitrate in groundwater in the Tulare Basin and Salinas … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Cannella Panel, Environment, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Secretary Ross Opinion Piece Praises Work of Food and Ag Board President Craig McNamara to Train New Farmers – McNamara Receives Irvine Foundation Leadership Award

California State Board of Food and Agriculture President Craig McNamara has been named as a recipient of the 2012 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award. More information about the award program may be found here. To recognize McNamara’s leadership in programs … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Succession Planning, Trade, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Future is bullish for Ag graduates

My email in-box lit up last week after Yahoo! published a story claiming that college degrees in agriculture are useless.  It certainly is a counterintuitive statement. Across our country, farming is hotter than ever. Agricultural exports broke records in 2011, and … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, Trade, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments