Infographic courtesy of the California Department of Health Services

By Brian Johnson

Overwhelmed hospitals.

Large outbreaks at food processing plants and skilled nursing facilities.

And sobering statistics that mean ongoing restrictions on everything from local businesses to schools.

Tulare County is waging a war against the coronavirus, and the state is here to help meet their needs and get a handle on the virus’ spread.

“We’re here to listen to them, what’s working, what isn’t,” California Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross said. “How can we work together to stop the spread of COVID-19, mitigate the impacts, identify where the gaps are, and make sure that we’re really delivering as an all government approach?”

Protecting essential workers in the field and food processing facilities is a top priority for Tulare County and the entire Central Valley.

Ross says the state is already addressing that through a new program that provides hotel rooms to agriculture workers who have tested positive or have been exposed to COVID-19.

Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency Spokesperson Carrie Monteiro says other topics discussed during the state’s two-day visit include how to improve contact tracing and increase capacity at their state certified public health lab.

“Here in Tulare County we want to be at max capacity for testing and labs,” Monteiro said. “And so (we’re) really having frank discussions with the state on resources that we can get available to Tulare County and here in the Valley so we can up that capacity to better respond.”

“One of the things we’ve heard loud and clear here in Tulare County is increasing testing is great, but the labs on the back end, if they don’t have the supplies to process those tests, we have too long of a delay in getting those test results out, and then what’s the point of testing?” Ross said.

The partnership between the state and county doesn’t end here.

State representatives will return to Sacramento to start the next steps of delivering resources and positive results to an area that needs relief now.

Tulare County is the second to last stop for the Central Valley task force.

A team will travel to Kings County next week.

View a video of the story

Link to story on ABC/30 web site

By Kevin Hecteman

As the 21st century continues, Southern California will likely feel the effects of climate change, and farmers and ranchers will want to be ready to adapt: That’s the main conclusion of a report released by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which partnered on the project with the San Diego-based Climate Science Alliance.

At a webinar held recently, CDFA and the Climate Science Alliance discussed the findings and the need to tailor the report’s large-scale findings to local needs.

“Farmers are at the forefront of all of these extremes,” Connor Magee of the Climate Science Alliance said during the webinar. “We’ve heard that in our feedback. A lot of the challenges that are faced (in) climate change, farmers experience firsthand on a daily basis.”

One theme Magee said he’d heard repeatedly in the course of his work was the need for cooperation among farmers—”a stronger connection to the researchers and technical-assistance specialists … knowing where to go and having support when new challenges arise.”

The report examines the observed and anticipated changes in several regions crucial to California agriculture: the southern San Joaquin Valley, the Imperial and Coachella valleys, and San Diego County.

In the southern San Joaquin Valley—defined in the report as Kern, Kings and Tulare counties—the report forecasts increases in average summer and winter temperatures of anywhere from 7 to 11 degrees by 2100, while annual precipitation may decline by as much as 3.5 inches in lower elevations and as much as 10 inches in higher elevations, along with a 9-inch decrease in the snowpack.

Almonds, the second-most-valuable crop in Kern County behind table grapes, could see higher yields from warmer springs and summers, the report said, but could also see a shorter bloom season in January and February due to warmer temperatures. Declines in seasonal fog may cut into the chill hours needed for tree development.

The inland desert, mainly the winter vegetable-growing region of Imperial and Riverside counties, could see more intense heat waves and precipitation, carrying a higher risk of flash flooding.

San Diego County, the state’s top avocado producer, could see more intense extreme-precipitation events and greater warming inland compared to the coast, the report said.

Avocados, according to the report summary, could be in for as much as a 45% reduction in yields statewide. Future production may shift from coastal and inland Southern California to coastal Central California as the southern half of the state warms. The report said water availability could become an issue, resulting from lower precipitation and the threat of droughts.

The summary also calls for more research into nursery and cut flower production, to help understand how climate change will affect them, “while helping to inform opportunities for innovation, resource efficiency, and best-management practices that ensure production flourishes in the future.”

The report and the summary of crop impacts may be found at www.climatesciencealliance.org/2020-consortium.

Link to Ag Alert web site

From a USDA news release

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) invited potential conservation partners to submit project applications for federal funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS will award up to $360 million dollars to locally driven, public-private partnerships that improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. 

“RCPP brings an expanded approach to investing in natural resource conservation that empowers local communities to work with multiple partners and agricultural producers to design solutions that work best for them,” said NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr. 

Partners may request between $250,000 and $10 million in RCPP funding through this funding announcement. Partners are expected to offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding in an amount equal or greater to the NRCS investment.

“We have incredible conservation partners and agricultural producers,” said Carlos Suarez, NRCS State Conservationist in California. “Looking forward to continuing our support of implementing conservation activities on private lands,” he continued. 

Eligible lead partners are encouraged to apply. Funding is open to private industry, non-government organizations, Indian tribes, state and local governments, water districts and universities, among others. The full list of eligible entities is available in the RCPP funding announcement.  

First authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, RCPP has combined nearly$1 billion in NRCS investments with close to $2 billion in non-NRCS dollars to implement conservation practices across the nation. There are 336 active RCPP projects that have engaged more than 2,000 partners. Successful RCPP projects provide innovative conservation solutions, leverage partner contributions and offer impactful and measurable outcomes. 

NRCS requested public comment on the RCPP Critical Conservation Areas and their associated priority resource concerns as part of a review allowed by the Farm Bill once every five years. This funding announcement introduces CCA changes that resulted from the review: 

• The California Bay-Delta and Columbia River Basin CCAs have been combined into the Western Waters CCA, which also encompasses the Klamath River Basin and the Puget Sound Basin. 
• A new CCA—Northeast Forests and Waters—has been added to the roster. This CCAs priority resource concerns include water quality and wildlife habitat. The boundaries of the CCA encompass Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. 

USDA is now accepting proposals for RCPP through the RCPP portal. Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 4, 2020. For more information, view the Application for Program Funding on grants.gov. 

A webinar with general program information for RCPP applicants is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug 27, 2020. Visit the RCPP website for information on how to participate. In California, you may reach Erik.Beardsley@usda.gov or call (530) 792-5649.

For more information on RCPP, visit the RCPP website. 

From a USDA news release

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that additional commodities are covered by the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) in response to public comments and data. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline to apply for the program to September 11th, and producers with approved applications will receive their final payment. After reviewing over 1,700 responses, even more farmers and ranchers will have the opportunity for assistance to help keep operations afloat during these tough times.     Background: USDA collected comments and supporting data for consideration of additional commodities through June 22, 2020. The following additional commodities are now eligible for CFAP: Specialty Crops – aloe leaves, bananas, batatas, bok choy, carambola (star fruit), cherimoya, chervil (french parsley), citron, curry leaves, daikon, dates, dill, donqua (winter melon), dragon fruit (red pitaya), endive, escarole, filberts, frisee, horseradish, kohlrabi, kumquats, leeks, mamey sapote, maple sap (for maple syrup), mesculin mix, microgreens, nectarines, parsley, persimmons, plantains, pomegranates, pummelos, pumpkins, rutabagas, shallots, tangelos, turnips/celeriac, turmeric, upland/winter cress, water cress, yautia/malanga, and yuca/cassava. Non-Specialty Crops and Livestock – liquid eggs, frozen eggs and all sheep. Only lambs and yearlings (sheep less than two years old) were previously eligible. Aquaculture – catfish, crawfish, largemouth bass and carp sold live as foodfish, hybrid striped bass, red drum, salmon, sturgeon, tilapia, trout, ornamental/tropical fish, and recreational sportfish. Nursery Crops and Flowers – nursery crops and cut flowers.   Other changes to CFAP include: Seven commodities – onions (green), pistachios, peppermint, spearmint, walnuts and watermelons – are now eligible for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability (CARES) Act funding for sales losses. Originally, these commodities were only eligible for payments on marketing adjustments. Correcting payment rates for onions (green), pistachios, peppermint, spearmint, walnuts, and watermelons.   Additional details can be found in the Federal Register in the Notice of Funding Availability and Final Rule Correction and at www.farmers.gov/cfap.   Producers Who Have Applied: To ensure availability of funding, producers with approved applications initially received 80 percent of their payments. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will automatically issue the remaining 20 percent of the calculated payment to eligible producers. Going forward, producers who apply for CFAP will receive 100 percent of their total payment, not to exceed the payment limit, when their applications are approved.   Applying for CFAP: Producers, especially those who have not worked with FSA previously, are recommended to call 877-508-8364 to begin the application process. An FSA staff member can help producers start their application during the phone call.   On farmers.gov/cfap, producers can: Download the AD-3114 application form and manually complete the form to submit to their local USDA Service Center by mail, electronically or by hand delivery to their local office or office drop box. Complete the application form using the CFAP Application Generator and Payment Calculator. This Excel workbook allows customers to input information specific to their operation to determine estimated payments and populate the application form, which can be printed, then signed and submitted to their local USDA Service Center.  If producers have login credentials known as eAuthentication, they can use the online CFAP Application Portal to certify eligible commodities online, digitally sign applications and submit directly to the local USDA Service Center.   All other eligibility forms, such as those related to adjusted gross income and payment information, can be downloaded from farmers.gov/cfap. For existing FSA customers, these documents are likely already on file.   All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including some that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors are also required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Program delivery staff will be in the office, and they will be working with producers in the office, by phone and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

By Dr. Frank Mitloehner, UC Davis professor

Americans won’t halt global warming until they stop eating beef — at least, that’s what many people have been taught. Some have even reluctantly given up their steaks and cheeseburgers in a well-intentioned effort to save the planet.

Thankfully, those sacrifices aren’t necessary. A closer look at the data shows that while cattle account for a large share of emissions in other countries, they emit far less carbon here in the United States, thanks to American ranchers’ environmentally sustainable practices and world-leading efficiency.

Simply put, U.S. cattle aren’t the major driver of climate change. So Americans can feel good about whatever kind of burger they put on their grill this barbecue season.

Many people believe — mistakenly — that beef is uniquely bad for the environment. This confusion stems, in large part, from faulty math. Consider a recent article, which pegged the global mean emissions for 2.2 pounds (one kilogram) of beef at 220 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents, the standard unit of comparison for greenhouse gases.

That figure includes emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas that cows and other farm animals belch out during their digestive process. Though potent in the near term, methane from cattle is a cyclical gas. Consider the full cycle — the carbon contained in methane (CH4) from cattle begins its journey in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2), which is captured by plants as part of photosynthesis. Plants turn this carbon into carbohydrates, which are then consumed by cattle. These cattle then release some of the carbohydrate carbon as methane, which over the course of 10 years, is destroyed and converted back to CO2. That carbon isn’t new, but recycled carbon, returned to the atmosphere.

If sources of methane do not increase during that time — if, in other words, the cattle herd doesn’t get larger — then methane is destroyed at the same rate it is emitted, meaning no additional methane is added to the atmosphere. So methane needs to be “backed out” of the calculation.

That brings the figure for emissions per 2.2 pounds of beef down from 220 pounds to 112 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent. And even this much-reduced figure doesn’t begin to tell the story of U.S. beef.

In the United States, the carbon footprint of 2.2 pounds of beef is 48.5 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent, including methane. And with methane backed out, the figure for 2.2 pounds of U.S. beef is just over 21 pounds of CO2 equivalent. In other words, the global figure is more than five times higher than the U.S. number.

We owe that level of success to our farmers and ranchers, the most efficient and advanced in the world. We produce 18% of the world’s beef with just 8% of the world’s cattle — while accounting for less than half a percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Two head of cattle today produce nearly as much beef as three in 1970. Emissions per pound of hamburger have decreased by 16% in the past 40 years from this productivity improvement alone.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s statistical database, total direct greenhouse gas emissions from all U.S. livestock have declined 11.3% since 1961, while livestock production has more than doubled. This massive increase in efficiency and decrease in emissions is a product of ingenuity and innovation in such areas as reproductive efficiency, better health through vaccinations and other veterinary care, genetics science and improvements in diet.

In addition, over the past half-century, the annual per capita demand for beef in the United States has decreased by roughly 30%, from 80 pounds per person then to 57 pounds now. That has allowed our beef exports to increase to 11% of total production, giving other countries access to beef with a lower carbon footprint.

The global average for beef’s greenhouse gas emissions is deceptive: grossly inflated for the United States and understated for pretty much every other nation. Not only does that prevent U.S. consumers from making well-informed dietary choices for their families, it also covers up the incredible success story we should be sharing with the rest of the world: Yes, we can reduce carbon emissions without giving up beef.

It’s time for Americans to grill whatever they choose without guilt — and help people in other countries do the same.

Frank Mitloehner, Ph.D., is a professor and air quality extension specialist in the department of animal science at the University of California, Davis and director of the CLEAR Center.

Link to story on the San Francisco Chronicle web site

California is the top milk-producing state, accounting for 21 percent of the milk produced in the United States. With that comes responsibility to find innovative solutions for managing cow manure while ensuring food and water safety and security – and California farmers and ranchers remain on the forefront in helping find new agriculture technologies that lead to environmental solutions.

The leadership of our farmers is highlighted in “Subsurface Drip Irrigation System Utilizing Dairy Manure Effluent,” a report recently released by Sustainable Conservation that details their work on several California dairies. The report describes how using subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) modified to apply liquid manure can save water, protect groundwater quality through precision nutrient application, and reduce irrigation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

The report provides information and recommendations for using manure subsurface drip irrigation (manure SDI) on dairies as well as resource links for deeper-level details. Some highlights include:

• Manure SDI provides dairies with a new tool to help improve water resiliency and water quality for their communities.
• Most of the manure SDI fields produced yields similar to flood-irrigated fields but using less water, measured as yield per acre-inch of water applied.
• Manure SDI fields generally resulted in less nitrogen applied and greater nutrient-use efficiency, as measured by pounds of nitrogen applied per ton of yield. Similarly, the manure SDI fields received less magnesium, which is an emerging environmental concern.
• Liquid manure has a lot of solid particles, so the effectiveness of pre-system solid separation will directly influence manure SDI performance.
• With the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) cost-share support in California, switching to manure SDI results in a positive change in net income of $96.95 per acre.

CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation was among the many partners and subject matter experts that Sustainable Conservation brought together for this work.

From a California Milk Advisory Board news release

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced today the return of its dairy product innovation competition with the launch of the Real California Milk Snackcelerator to inspire new ideas integrating the flavor and functionality of California dairy into snack formulations that meet the needs of today’s consumers.

With more than $450,000 in awards, the Real California Milk Snackcelerator taps into the $605 billion global snack food market while combining two of California’s great natural resources: High quality, sustainable dairy products and the insatiable California entrepreneurial spirit. The competition aims to inspire innovation and investment in dairy-based snack products, packaging and capacity within California by connecting the dots between processors, producers, investors, ideas and entrepreneurs.

Research shows that consumers are snacking more than ever before. According to Mondelez International, 59% of adults worldwide prefer snacking to meals with that number increasing to 70% for millennials. The Real California Milk Snackcelerator aims to uncover healthy, natural options to satisfy these cravings.

“Dairy and snacking are natural partners. Not only do dairy foods make the perfect snack on their own, the flavor, nutritional profile and functionality of milk and other dairy products as ingredients are hard to duplicate. As consumers look for snacking options with natural ingredients that deliver something extra – whether a specific flavor profile or a boost of quality protein or other essential nutrients – product developers appreciate what dairy brings to the table,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. “The goal of this competition is to tap into our global obsession with snacking to inspire new ideas and help clear the hurdles to bringing these products to market.”

The inaugural Real California Milk Accelerator event in 2019 brought nine innovative fluid milk startup finalists to a live pitch event and built the model for dairy product competitions. The 2019 winner, Bears Nutrition, will launch its ready-to-drink milk-based nutritional shakes for children at retail test markets this fall along with companion “Immunity Nourishment” and “Brain Booster” milk powder-based nutritional shake mixes online.

Through the Real California Milk Snackcelerator, the CMAB is seeking high-growth potential snack product concepts, with cow’s milk dairy as their first ingredient and making up at least 50% of their formula. The startups will need to commit to producing the product in California, with milk from California dairy farms, should they win the competition.

Up to eight (8) startups will receive $10,000 worth of support each, to develop an edible prototype, while receiving a suite of resources including graphic design, lab or kitchen time and elite mentorship from global marketing, packaging, and distribution experts. They also will receive a business development trip (or virtual equivalent) to tour dairy farms and production facilities and to meet with industry leaders to help drive success of their new venture. The winner will receive up to $200,000 worth of additional support to get their new product to market. The value of the competition prize is $450,000.

VentureFuel, Inc., the leading corporate innovation consultancy, is again partnering with CMAB to run the program and to identify the best emerging opportunities from their global network of investors, founders and academics. “Our first program with CMAB proved the value of marrying innovation and dairy as we were able to bring delicious and diverse products to market quickly, while providing founders unprecedented mentorship and access to accelerate their success,” said Fred Schonenberg, Founder of VentureFuel, Inc. “CMAB’s continued commitment to product innovation now will inspire great new snacks for consumers to enjoy and further increase the demand for California Dairy.”

Competition rules and application documents are available at https://www.venturefuel.net/snackcelerator and the deadline for application is August 28, 2020.

By CDFA secretary Karen Ross and California Rangeland Trust CEO Michael Delbar

As California continues to respond to the challenges of COVID-19, some people are cautiously venturing out into the state’s abundance of open spaces, while hopefully wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and practicing other safe behaviors. 

From parks to rangeland, our state’s open spaces provide a variety of aesthetic and recreational benefits that it’s next to impossible to put a price tag on.

Much of that open space is also used for grazing, providing the benefit of locally sourced beef to kitchen tables across the state. 

What many people don’t realize is that open spaces and rangeland also provide an abundance of environmental benefits and, as researchers at UC Berkeley recently discovered, you can put a price tag on those. 

In fact, the analysis found that 300,000 acres of rangeland under permanent protection by the California Rangeland Trust provide up to $1.4 billion a year in ecosystem benefits, including contributions to our food, water supplies and climate.

As the state struggles with a $54 billion deficit while trying to continue our leadership in environmental stewardship, it’s important that we get the most bang for every taxpayer buck spent on environmental projects. The UC Berkeley study found that every dollar spent to protect working rangeland returned $3.43 on the investment in ecosystem benefits.

These benefits make a big difference in California. Managed grazing can take carbon out of the atmosphere and put it back into healthy soil, restoring land to its natural state. This concept, implemented through the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Healthy Soils Program, is called carbon sequestration, and it’s a key solution for the mitigation of climate change. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, and its increased concentrations in the atmosphere warm the planet and contribute to climate change, so rangelands are uniquely positioned to aid in a resilient climate.

Government plays a key role in protecting California’s public open spaces and the benefits they provide. But preserving private lands is just as important to our state’s environment – if not more so. In fact, the California Strategic Growth Council recently invested more than $170 million in the Sustainable Agricultural Land Conservation Program, which will fund easements to help the state meet its climate and environmental goals.

When rangelands are sold for development, land uses and ownerships are fragmented, putting ecosystems at risk and preventing responsible ranching practices like grazing, which can also reduce invasive plants, remove fire-prone biomass and revitalize vegetation to benefit the entire ecosystem. Livestock grazing can lower wildfire risk and reduce the impact of fires by slowing down the speed of spreading flames.

Development is a real threat for a large portion of the state’s private rangelands. California scored among the highest in the nation for threat to agricultural land being developed, according to new research from the American Farmland Trust. From 2001 to 2016, the study found 465,900 acres of California’s agricultural land was developed or compromised, including nearly 250,000 acres of rangeland.

Today, private rangelands are nearly 63% of the state’s undeveloped land and are home to 67% of federally threatened or endangered species. Once this land is lost to development, we can’t get it back.

That is why the role of state and nonprofit land conservation groups, like the California Rangeland Trust, is so critical to ensuring that development doesn’t come at the expense of our state’s ecosystems.

California is an agricultural and environmental leader across the nation and around the world. In conserving rangeland and open spaces, our state can maintain a balance that is nothing short of essential as we strive for lasting sustainability.

Link to article on CalMatters web site

Letter to the editor by Shelby Dill, Imperial Valley Vegetable Growers

As we continue to adapt to the new limitations as a result of COVID-19, agriculture has been classified as an essential service and the Imperial Valley has continued to farm. A majority part of the farming effort is the harvest of field crops — alfalfa, wheat, and Bermuda grass — this time of year. We need farm workers to continue harvest, while some live here and some live in Mexicali Valley. Those in Mexicali cross daily, and some experienced long wait times and crossing was delayed. We are pleased to report that the majority of the crossing issues experienced in early May have been greatly improved or resolved completely.

We, however, noticed that not all of those crossing had protective face masks, thus creating dangerous conditions for themselves, their families, and their co-workers. Initially, as the statewide order for face masks was issued, the supply for disposable masks was extremely limited. To protect our farm workers, three separate efforts occurred. First, prior to the start of onion, sweet corn, and melon harvest, washable cloth masks were purchased from a reliable source in California and distributed directly to cattlemen and farmers for them to disperse to their employees. Shortly after, the California Department of Food and Agricultural obtained a supply of disposal masks that were distributed through the Imperial County Ag Commissioners’ office. A second supply has also been received and is available for the agriculture community through the Ag Commissioner’s office.

The third and most notable is the donation by an anonymous donor for disposable masks and gloves to be distributed in three efforts to the essential workers. A portion of the allocation has been provided to the two local hospitals, El Centro Regional Medical Center and Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District, for their use at the hospitals and their clinics throughout Imperial Valley. These medical professionals are certainly essential and continue to be critical in this pandemic. The second allocation has been provided to Comite Civico Del Valle, Imperial Valley Community Health Coalition, and Coalicion De La Buena Salud y Bienestar Communitario. These coalitions will distribute the masks to the farm workers once they have crossed the border and at times the farm workers are generally crossing daily. The last allocation will be distributed by Imperial Valley Vegetable Growers Association, who has been designated by the donor as the local coordinator. This allocation will be made available to the labor contractors and farmers for those farm workers who live in Imperial Valley or those who did not receive them otherwise.

We also acknowledge the ongoing support of Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia to elevate the local farm worker and health needs in response to COVID-19. The safety of all of us is a major concern — we need healthy farm workers to harvest the food we eat and we need medical staff safe as they care for those of us who have contracted COVID-19. All are important, and we are certainly appreciative of the effort by the donor to provide this generous and timely donation. Working together our community is more resilient in stopping the spread of this novel virus and speeds the pathway to recovery.

Link to letter on Desert Review web site