Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

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CDFA joins State Employees Food Drive team assisting with donations at food bank

As part of the 2018 State Employees Food Drive and the continued spirit of giving, a team from CDFA’s Division of Inspection Services volunteered at the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services on December 20. The group helped with bagging … Continue reading

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Santa’s reindeer cleared for entry into California by State Veterinarian

California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones has granted a 24-hour permit clearing all brand inspection and health requirements for nine reindeer scheduled to visit California on the evening of December 24 and in the early morning hours of December 25. … Continue reading

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Reconsidering the history of corn – from Smithsonian.com

Corn is one of the world’s most important crops. We don’t just pop it and munch it on the cob; corn can be turned into flour and syrup, it is fed to livestock, it is transformed into ethanol and it can even … Continue reading

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Don’t pack a pest – new website lists what can safely be brought into US for the holidays

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has a new web site to provide people with important information about which agricultural items are safe to enter the United States – and which ones are best left behind this holiday … Continue reading

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Follow sound food safety practices during holidays

From Morning Ag Clips   If you’re cooking for friends and family this holiday season, it’s important to make sure you’re not spreading bacteria that can cause harmful foodborne illnesses. A recent study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety … Continue reading

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Farm to Family program meets year-round need for food

With the holiday season bringing reminders of the food insecurity faced by an alarming number of needy Californians, CDFA offers an encore presentation of a video from the award-winning Growing California series: “Farm to Family,” spotlighting efforts to feed the … Continue reading

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Video – A focus on fire recovery and the power of working together

A new video PSA from Visit California features Governor Brown, Governor-elect Newsom, and a number of celebrities expressing their concern for victims of the recent wildfires in northern and southern California and encouraging viewers to donate what they can to … Continue reading

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A field day for soil health – from the Glenn County Transcript

By Ruby Larson Soil health and research on using cover crops were discussed by farmers, researchers and others at the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Soil Health and Cover Crop Field Day on Dec. 6. Dozens gathered for a presentation … Continue reading

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California Farm Bureau honors young farmers – from Western Farm Press

A diversified farmer from Tulare County and a farm couple from Glenn County have earned awards for achievement and excellence among young farmers and ranchers in California. They received the awards during the 100th California Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting … Continue reading

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A groundwater recharge call to action – from the University of California

From the UC’s Water Security and Sustainability Research Initiative There are only two ways to reduce groundwater overdraft: decrease pumping or increase recharge. While addressing California’s overdraft will certainly require both actions, we convened a meeting of water management experts around groundwater … Continue reading

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