Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Specialty Crops


Growing California video series – “Fun, Food, Festivals”

The next segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Fun, Food, Festivals,” a celebration of California agriculture.

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Growing California video series – “Blooming Business”

The next segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Blooming Business,” a profile of California’s cut flower industry.

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Growing California video series wins two Telly Awards

The Growing California video series, a partnership betweeen CDFA and California Grown produced in association with California State University, Sacramento, has been recognized with two 2013 Telly Awards, a video competition now in its 34th year. The two segments that won, … Continue reading

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Growing California video series – Salad Bar Superstar

The next segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Salad Bar Superstar,” a profile of Riverside Unified School District food service executive Rodney Taylor and the work he, the school district and local farmers … Continue reading

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Growing California video series – “Third Generation Farmer”

The next segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Third Generation Farmer,” a story about a Pajaro Valley berry grower.

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Growing California video series – “Chef’s Guide”

The next segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Chef’s Guide,” a story about a farmer helping to educate local chefs.

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After the Freeze – CDFA Works to Assess Crop Damage

Following a period of below-freezing temperatures in the Central Valley and other parts of California, CDFA’s Division of Inspection Services is working with growers and county agricultural commissioners to assess potential freeze damage to citrus fruit and avocados. There is … Continue reading

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Aligning With New Proposed Federal Produce Safety Rules

Last Friday, January 4th, two years to the day after the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law by President Obama, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new proposed produce rules. The produce rules will go a … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross Among “Health Happens Hero” Award Recipients

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is among eight individuals recognized by the California Endowment as a “Health Happens Hero” for her work in promoting the use of California Grown products in school meals.  Connecting farms-to-schools, improving the nutritional health of school … Continue reading

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California leads the way as organic agriculture spreads its wings from coast-to-coast

  The USDA has released its first-ever survey of organic farmers to determine that organic sales across the country in 2011 totaled more than $3.5 billion, with nearly 40 percent of that –almost $1.4 billion–coming from California.  The development is discussed further … Continue reading

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