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Category Archives: Specialty Crops

Sacramento Bee – Two organic certifying agencies plan merger to become nation’s largest

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/29/4521806/two-organic-certifying-agencies.html California Certified Organic Farmers and Oregon Tilth, two of the nation’s largest third-party organic certification agencies, are joining forces in hopes of raising the visibility and consolidating the clout of West Coast organic farming. A merger was approved by … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Food Access, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Still the People’s Agency 150 Years Later – Happy Birthday, USDA!

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

For producers and consumers of food, this is a sesquicentennial like no other. Two weeks ago, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Morrill Act, the single piece of legislation that laid the foundation for the modern … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Alternative Fuels, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Climate Change, Community-based Food System, Dairy, Environment, Farm Bill, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, Food Safety, Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, HLB, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Pierce's Disease, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

HLB-Infected Citrus Tree Removed from Hacienda Heights Yard

Posted on April 5, 2012 by CDFA Staff

Following the recent detection of the citrus disease huanglongbing (HLB) in a citrus tree in at a private residence in the Hacienda Heights area, agricultural officials have removed the tree and are transporting it to a California Department of Food … Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Citrus Psyllid, HLB, Invasive Species, Specialty Crops | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Secretary Ross – We must work together to help prevent invasive species

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

The USDA has announced that it’s dedicating the month of April to sharing information about the threat that invasive plant pests, diseases and harmful weeds pose to America’s fruits, vegetables, trees, and other plants—and how the public can help prevent … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Community-based Food System, Farmers' Markets, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Specialty Crops, Trade | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A look back at last week’s Ag Day festivities

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs
Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Community-based Food System, Food Access, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Ag Day – A Celebration of the Future

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

I am blessed to be in my 15th month as California’s secretary of agriculture. In my travels around the state, I have gained a new appreciation for the miracles that farmers and ranchers create every day, against considerable odds. As … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Veterans Wanted Down on the Farm

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Tom Vilsack, the U.S. secretary of agriculture, said recently our country will need 100,000 new farmers over the next several years to maintain agriculture at its current level. Factor in the average age of existing farmers–they’re pushing 60–and a rapidly growing world population that must … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Food Access, Food Safety, Specialty Crops, Succession Planning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

News Release – Workshops announced for 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Office of Public Affairs

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) will hold workshops the week of November 15, 2011 on the 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). In 2012, CDFA expects to award up to $18 million in SCBGP funds for … Continue reading →

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

Food Day is for everyone

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

The inaugural Food Day celebration occurring today is an idea whose time has come.  While, in fact, every day is “food day” for the nearly seven-billion people on Earth, the topic of local food production is hotter than ever in … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Farm Bill Framing Document for California Ready for Review

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Here in California and across the nation, discussion is well underway about development of the 2012 Farm Bill.  The legislation is renewed every five years and is the essential component in our country’s farm and food policy.  The Farm Bill … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, Animal Welfare, Environment, Farm Bill, Food Access, Food Safety, Specialty Crops, Trade | Leave a comment