Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

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Healthy Soils Week — biodiversity webinar kicks off series of events

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross kicked off the events of Healthy Soils Week by hosting a webinar to emphasize the importance and the impact of belowground biodiversity on soil health.  Secretary Ross introduced attendees to the Belowground Biodiversity Advisory Committee (BBAC) … Continue reading

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Stronger Soils — Secretary Ross kicks off Healthy Soils Week with discussion of benefits

Today is the UN’s World Soil Day, and CDFA is joining California partners in observing Healthy Soils Week through Friday. In this video, Secretary Karen Ross discusses the many benefits of improving the health and resilience of our soils.   … Continue reading

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CDFA to celebrate Healthy Soils Week (Dec 5-9) by promoting biodiversity and soil resilience

California Healthy Soils Week 2022 will kick off December 5 with United Nations’ World Soil Day. CDFA and Agriculture and partner organizations from across the state will host a series of events highlighting soil health and biodiversity. CDFA Secretary Karen … Continue reading

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CDFA joins partners at USDA, UC and CARCD in agreement to streamline services to land managers

Secretary Karen Ross participated in an a signing ceremony today committing CDFA to an agreement with partners including the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), and the California Association of Resource … Continue reading

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Climate smart ag collaboration between California and the Netherlands

California and the Netherlands continue their longstanding partnership on Climate Smart Agriculture, first established in 2015 with a visit by CDFA Secretary Karen Ross to the Netherlands. The two governments share opportunities for innovation within the food sector to reduce … Continue reading

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California citrus growers — leaders in production and water efficiency

Citrus is a way of life for our state! California leads the nation in tons and value of citrus production., and the US is also among the top-five citrus producers in the world. Of course, citrus depends on responsible water … Continue reading

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Giving Thanks: A Celebration of our GRATITUDE for California Agriculture

By Karen Ross, SecretaryCalifornia Department of Food and Agriculture The dictionary defines gratitude as the state of being grateful:  THANKFULNESS. It is important to express appreciation to people every day, but especially at this time of year – a time to … Continue reading

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Farmer and rancher grant writing workshop offered December 1

California farmers and ranchers, including veterans and beginners, are invited to attend a Farmer & Rancher Grant Writing Workshop 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 1 via Zoom. The workshop is being offered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) … Continue reading

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CDFA participates in 8th annual Latino Farmer Conference

Representatives from across CDFA divisions and programs were on hand at the Latino Farmer Conference in Escondido on November 17 and 18. The event was held at the California Center for the Arts with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture, equity, … Continue reading

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Californians selected for EPA farm, ranch and rural advisory committee

Taken from an EPA news release Two Californians–Lake County supervisor Eddie Crandell Sr. and Jeanne Merrill of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition–have been appointed to join the Environmental Protection Agency’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC), which … Continue reading

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