Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

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‘Nigiri Project’ mixing salmon and rice fields now in fifth year – from UC Davis

An annual experiment to “plant” salmon in Yolo County rice fields aims to better explain how floodplains support strong salmon populations. Dubbed the “Nigiri Project” for its sushi-like marriage of fish and rice, the research is a collaborative project among … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross editorial on Climate Smart Agriculture – from the UC’s “California Agriculture”

California is the nation’s leading agricultural state, with 76,400 farms producing more than 400 commodities with a farm-gate value of $54 billion. The mission of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is to promote and protect agriculture. It’s … Continue reading

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Florida citrus production off more than 70 percent; HLB to blame – from Southeast Farm Press

Note – Florida has lost approximately $7.8 billion in revenue, 162,200 citrus acres and 7,513 jobs since 2007 The USDA’s forecast Feb. 10 of 69 million boxes of oranges, weighing 90 pounds each, represents a decline of more than 71 … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross discusses FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act with Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement

Late last year the FDA published the final Produce Rule, which is a key component of new federal food safety laws under the Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA. Video courtesy of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. Link to … Continue reading

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Trucker charged with recycling fraud after detection at CDFA Border Protection Station – from the Los Angeles Times

By Hailey Branson-Potts State officials have announced the arrest of a Baldwin Park trucker who they said hauled more than $13,000 worth of out-of-state bottles and cans into California in a case of recycling fraud. On Jan. 15, agents with … Continue reading

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US Chamber of Commerce joins USDA in push to enlist veterans in agriculture

The USDA has announced a joint agreement with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to increase employment opportunities in the agricultural sector for military veterans and their spouses. The agreement establishes a new partnership between USDA and Hiring Our Heroes, a … Continue reading

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USDA, partners to invest $720 million in conservation projects across country, including California

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and partners across the nation together will direct up to $720 million towards 84 conservation projects that will help communities improve water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural … Continue reading

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Giant cabbage to pay future dividends for Salinas third grader

  Miranda Lopez c/o Jacqueline Terrazas, Principal Madonna del Sasso School 20 Santa Teresa Way Salinas, CA 93906 Dear Miranda: Congratulations on being the California State winner of the 2016 Bonnie Plants’ 3rd Grade Cabbage Program!  As Secretary of the … Continue reading

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California secures more than $12 million in USDA invasive species funding

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has allocated $58.25 million from Section 10007 of the 2014 Farm Bill. This money will support 434 projects that prevent the introduction or spread of plant pests and diseases that threaten … Continue reading

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Scientists identify new method to turn Ag waste into useful products – from Phys.org

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have engineered a new synthetic biopathway that can more efficiently and cost-effectively turn agricultural waste, like corn stover and orange peels, into a variety of useful products ranging from spandex to chicken feed. The … Continue reading

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