Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

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Taking action to protect endangered California Condors from Avian Influenza

CDFA is working with federal partners to allow vaccination of the endangered birds under emergency provisions The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Animal Health and Food Safety Services division is engaged in a cooperative effort to protect endangered California … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross celebrates Plenty indoor vertical farm – bringing agriculture back to Compton

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Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order to Support Ongoing Central Valley Flood Response

News Release from Governor Newsom’s office (May 17, 2023) WHAT TO KNOW: Amid ongoing flood impacts in the Central Valley, the state is extending flood diversion flexibilities implemented for the Tulare Lake Basin to the San Joaquin River Basin as the … Continue reading

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Mental Health Awareness Month — CDFA offers resources page for farmers, ranchers and farmworkers

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and CDFA recognizes that stressors felt by farmworkers, farmers and ranchers are real and may require outside assistance. The agency maintains a webpage with mental health resources for those in need. Suicide rates among farmers and … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross welcomes Western Cape delegation to California

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross (center in photo) today welcomed a delegation from the Western Cape of South Africa as it begins a week-long visit to California. The meeting included a discussion of a memorandum of understanding between the Western Cape … Continue reading

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Marking the seasons with flowers — urban grower helps supply florists and markets

CDFA recently visited Sweet Mabel’s Farm in West Sacramento, owned by Elle Huftill, an urban flower farmer. She takes us through her journey in farming and her passion for sustainable agriculture, as well as her commitment to community with fresh, … Continue reading

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CDFA looks ahead following US Supreme Court decision upholding Proposition 12 animal confinement initiative

The US Supreme Court has upheld California’s Proposition 12, an animal confinement initiative approved by voters in 2018 and subsequently challenged.  Californians voted to adopt Proposition 12 by an overwhelming margin (63%-37%), which established minimum confinement standards for the sale … Continue reading

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Looking out for grape-loving consumers — CDFA Standardization Program makes sure imported grapes meet California standards

Did you know that inspections of imported table grapes are conducted annually by California county and state personnel to ensure they meet the same high standards of California-grown fruit? Inspections ensure that table grapes look good, taste good, are nutritious; … Continue reading

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California dairy sector moves toward advanced manure recycling through innovation, partnerships, worms and algae — from Dairy Cares

The California dairy sector is on a mission to innovate how manure is recycled—boosting water quality outcomes and soil health. An initial roadmap has been drawn. Several projects are already under way. Millions of additional public and private investments will … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross praises USDA investments in Regional Food Business Systems and supply chain infrastructure

The USDA today announced investments in 12 Regional Food Business Centers–including one in California–that will provide coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state, and local resources. … Continue reading

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