Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

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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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USDA releases Preliminary Grape Crush Report for California

SACRAMENTO, February 10, 2016 – The 2015 crush totaled 3,862,385 tons, down 7 percent from the 2014 crush of 4,144,534 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 2,037,083 tons, down 5 percent from … Continue reading

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Cover crops, a farming revolution with deep roots in the past – from the New York Times

By Stephanie Strom When Mark Anson came home with his hair on fire after a seminar on the seemingly soporific topic of soil health, his younger brother, Doug, was skeptical. What had Mark lit up was cover crops: fields of … Continue reading

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World Ag Expo underway in Tulare

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USDA awards $20 million in grants for huanglongbing research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $20.1 million in grants to university researchers for research and extension projects to help citrus producers fight Huanglongbing (HLB), commonly known as citrus greening disease. This funding is available through the Specialty … Continue reading

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