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Category Archives: Uncategorized

Scientists from the Netherlands to Join CDFA and UC Davis at Water Seminar

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

On December 10, the California Department of Food and Agriculture Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is teaming up with a group of science and agricultural experts from the Netherlands and UC Davis to hold a one-day seminar in Davis on … Continue reading →

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California State Board of Food and Agriculture Sends Letter to California Congressional Delegation Urging Passage of a New Farm Bill

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/State_Board/pdfs/CongressionalDelegationFarmBill_Nov2012.pdf Dear Members of the California Congressional Delegation: On behalf of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, we strongly encourage congressional action on the 2012 Farm Bill prior to January 1, 2013. The farm bill is of critical … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving is for giving

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

An account of Thanksgiving in Sacramento in 1850, the year California became a state, describes a scene where New Englanders in residence gathered to celebrate a holiday unfamiliar in the west but already traditional for them, and put on a feast for all, whether or not … Continue reading →

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State employees support annual Turkey Drop for holidays

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

The annual California State Employees Food Drive is underway and, today, the traditional Turkey Drop occurred at CDFA headquarters. Each year, state employees team with California Emergency Foodlink to sponsor the event, with donors providing frozen turkeys that are immediately loaded on a … Continue reading →

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Petaluma FFA wins national title, provides great example of potential of youth

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

We spend a considerable amount of time at CDFA working to prepare for the future. We’re developing a strategic plan that includes succession planning because we know the time will come to hand the reigns to a new generation to protect and facilitate food production in … Continue reading →

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Department of Justice: Former President of Organic Fertilizer Company Sentenced to Federal Prison for Selling Synthetic Fertilizer to Organic Farms

Posted on November 9, 2012 by CDFA Staff

http://www.justice.gov/usao/can/news/2012/2012_11_08_townsley.sentenced.press.html (Released 10-8-12) SAN FRANCISCO – Peter Townsley was sentenced yesterday to serve 364 days in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $125,000 for a scheme to defraud his customers in the organic farming industry, United States Attorney … Continue reading →

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Complete 2011 California Ag statistics now on line

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

From California Agricultural Statistics, 2011 Crop Year: California agriculture experienced a 15 percent increase in the sales value of its products in 2011. The state’s 81,500 farms and ranches received a record $43.5 billion for their output last year, up … Continue reading →

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Annual fertilizer conference tackles key issues, sets attendance record

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Rick Jensen, Director of Inspection Services

The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Western Plant Health Association (WHPA) teamed up last week to present the 20th annual Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) conference in Modesto.  Based on attendance alone, it was a great success. … Continue reading →

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Almonds now number two commodity in California – from the Merced Sun-Star

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2012/10/30/2621159/almonds-now-no-2-california-commodity.html Almonds were the second-most valuable commodity in California in 2011, surpassing grapes for the first time ever, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. In 2011, almonds generated $3.87 billion of economic activity, according to agriculture department … Continue reading →

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From the LA Times – Profile of California State Board of Food and Agriculture President Craig McNamara.

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-1028-himi-craig-mcnamara-20121028,0,1752156.story The gig: Craig McNamara is a sustainable farming expert, organic walnut farmer in the Sacramento Valley town of Winters, founder of the nonprofit Center for Land-Based Learning and the California Farm Academy, and president of the state Board of … Continue reading →

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