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Category Archives: Specialty Crops

CDFA to Offer Food Safety Training for California’s Small Farms

Posted on October 10, 2012 by CDFA Staff

California’s farmers are as diverse as the crops they grow. The safety of the food their farms produce is paramount. To make sure smaller farmers can take advantage of a comprehensive approach to food safety, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)  has developed resources … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Food Safety, Specialty Crops | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

California agriculture leads the nation in funding for specialty crops

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=12-035 The United States Department of Agriculture announced funding today for the 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). California received more than $18 million out of the total $55 million awarded nationwide. The SCBGP provides grants to states to … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Specialty Crops | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Farm to School Programs Teach, Nourish

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

I love visiting schools. When I see all those young faces I see the future – bright-eyed children who will be leading us in 20, 30 or 40 years. Those of us in positions of responsibility have an obligation to … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

News Release – Medfly Infestation Triggers Quarantine in Rancho Cucamonga Area

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=12-031 A quarantine has been declared due to a Mediterranean fruit fly infestation detected in the Rancho Cucamonga area of San Bernardino County. Three adult males and one unmated female were detected in two traps on August 16, 2012. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, Invasive Species, Specialty Crops | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Statement from Secretary Ross on Food Safety Efforts by California Cantaloupe Growers

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

You may have heard about recent illnesses and two deaths linked to cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana. I am very concerned to learn about the severity of this outbreak. My heart goes out to those affected and their loved ones. … Continue reading →

Posted in Food Safety, Specialty Crops | Tagged , | Leave a comment

News Release – CDFA to establish climate change consortium to help specialty crop growers plan for future impacts

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

California’s specialty crops account for more than half of the nation’s fruits, vegetables, and nuts as well as nearly $7 billion dollars of exports worldwide. California’s production of diverse specialty crops is threatened by potential climate-related phenomena, including reduced water … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Climate Change, Environment, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Solar panels and onion power show the way to Ag energy self-sufficiency

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

One of the strategic objectives of Ag Vision: Strategies for Sustainability is to achieve the maximum usage of renewable energy by agriculture, thereby increasing economic productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.  Governor Brown has demonstrated important leadership with policy … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Alternative Fuels, Climate Change, Environment, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

California Food in China – A Reputation for Safety and Quality

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

In the many meetings I’ve attended in Shanghai this week, one theme resonates over and over again – the excellent quality and food safety provided by California farmers and ranchers. California products have a strong reputation, which has helped generate more than … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Marketing, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Of Canadian geese, worker training and record-keeping – building a culture of food safety on the farm

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Scott Horsfall, CEO, Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement

Last week, a group of Canadian food writers and bloggers, accompanied by staff of the California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement (LGMA), toured two leafy greens fields and a processing facility in the Salinas area. The group was there … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Food Safety, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Truckee Border Inspection Station on Reno TV

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

CDFA’s border inspection station at Truckee was recently featured as the lead story on a Reno TV newscast. Many northern Nevada residents regularly drive through the station, which is one of many safeguards in California to protect natural resources and a food supply that helps … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Community-based Food System, Environment, Food Access, Invasive Species, Specialty Crops, Trade | 1 Comment