Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

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Nine California Counties Make Top-10 List for Ag Sales in the U.S.

2022 Census of Agriculture released today Taken from a USDA News Release The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today announced the results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, spanning more than six-million data points about America’s farms and ranches … Continue reading

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Preliminary 2023 Grape Crush Report released by USDA

For more than 40 years, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has conducted the annual Grape Crush survey through a cooperative agreement with CDFA, and this year’s preliminary report has been released. The 2023 crush totaled 3,728,923 tons, up 1.6 … Continue reading

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The Ultimate Game-Day Spread is Fueled by California Agriculture!

Are you having guacamole, pizza, salad, and other nutty and delicious snacks on Super Bowl Sunday? The ultimate Game Day spreads are fueled by California’s agriculture! From creamy guacamole to delicious pizza, thank California for leading the nation in producing avocados, … Continue reading

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New State Investments Help Farmworkers Gain Skills and Career Opportunities

California Labor & Workforce Development Agency supporting agricultural workers through training and education WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: California is investing in our farmworkers with new funding for career advancement and technical education. The State of California recently announced several new … Continue reading

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USDA Detector Dogs Help Combat the Fruit Fly Threat in California

These Highly Skilled K9s Can Detect Invasive Threats with One Sniff By April Dawson USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) have been facing exotic fruit fly incursions in California. Luckily, … Continue reading

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A conversation with State Board of Food and Ag Member Jenet DeCosta and Secretary Ross

In honor of Black History Month, Secretary Karen Ross had a conversation with State Food and Agriculture Board Member Jenet DeCosta, who is also Senior Director of Public Affairs with Driscoll’s, a California-based seller of fresh strawberries and other berries, … Continue reading

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Californians in fruit fly quarantine areas urged not to move homegrown produce this Lunar New Year

Residents urged to avoid gifting homegrown produce due to a series of invasive fruit fly infestations As California residents prepare to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, those living within fruit fly quarantine areas are urged to not move or … Continue reading

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Preparing farmworkers for the future with training and educational opportunities — Secretary Ross cites importance of $10 million in funding

Webinar tomorrow on funding program (information at bottom) From an Employment Training Panel News Release The State of California’s Employment Training Panel (ETP) has announced the availability of $10 million in funding as part of an Agriculture Initiative to serve … Continue reading

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California State Employees Food Drive raises 11,604 pounds of food and $89,000

The California State Employees Food Drive, led by CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork, resulted in California state agencies donating 11,604 pounds of food, $89,089 in monetary donations, 784 turkeys, 461 Run to Feed the Hungry registrations (money goes to … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross praises groundwater recharge as a key drought strategy

From a California Water Commission News Release The California Water Commission has approved a white paper that contains potential strategies to protect communities and fish and wildlife in the event of drought. The white paper is in support of Water … Continue reading

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