Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

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Report details Ag’s substantial contribution to NE California economy – from CSU Chico

From a CSU Chico News Release The Agribusiness Institute (ABI) at California State University, Chico has released a report detailing agriculture’s contributions to the regional economy of Northeastern California. The report based on 2016 data shows that despite a continued … Continue reading

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Virulent Newcastle Disease update

CDFA, the USDA and local government partners continue their work to eradicate a virulent Newcastle disease outbreak in Southern California. There are now 106 cases of the disease that have been detected in backyard birds in California – 80 in … Continue reading

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Climate change: hotter weather turbocharges US West Wildfires – from Associated Press via ABC News

By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press science writer As temperatures rise in the U.S. West, so do the flames. The years with the most acres burned by wildfires have some of the hottest temperatures, an Associated Press analysis of fire and weather data … Continue reading

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Growing together with community gardens – from the San Diego Union Tribune

By Nan Sterman If you dream of gardening but live in an apartment or a high rise or simply don’t have the space, don’t give up. Look for a nearby community garden — a piece of land from several acres … Continue reading

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Officials assess wildfires’ toll on agriculture – from Ag Alert

By Kevin Hecteman, Ag Alert / California Farm Bureau Federation As the Ranch Fire became California’s largest-ever wildfire during the past weekend, the county where it’s doing the most damage—Lake—continued assessing the toll on local farmers and ranchers. Keith Brandt, … Continue reading

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Winners named in apple-picking robot competition; California schools show well

From Morning Ag Clips DETROIT — China Agricultural University (CAU) took home top honors in the 2018 ASABE Robotics Student Design Competition, held July 31 in Detroit. CAU teams won in both the advanced and beginner divisions. Among the advanced … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross discusses importance of upcoming Global Climate Action Summit and Sustainability Roadmap

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined other participants yesterday at AT&T Park in San Francisco to brief reporters on next month’s Global Climate Action Summit, and to release a Sustainability Roadmap for the event. The Roadmap lays out a plan to … Continue reading

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California joins nation in celebrating National Farmers Market Week

The USDA has designated the week of August 5-11 as National Farmers Market Week. California leads the nation with nearly 800 certified farmers markets – sales venues for certified agricultural producers selling healthy and high-quality produce directly to consumers. Until 1977, … Continue reading

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CDFA working with DWR on emerging groundwater recharge strategy

Later this month the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is hosting a public workshop on Flood-MAR, an emerging water management strategy that could improve water-resources sustainability throughout the state. At CDFA, Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, Science Advisor to the Secretary and a … Continue reading

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From the Growing California video series – Farm to Folks

Here is an encore presentation from CDFA’s award-winning Growing California video series: “Farm to Folks,” a look at California’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) movement.

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