Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Healthy soils


Update on climate change programs from CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation

CDFA recently issued this newsletter to provide updates about programs in its Office of Environmental Farming Initiatives. The Healthy Soils Program OEFI has a new program that aims to improve soil health by increasing soil carbon and reducing atmospheric greenhouse … Continue reading

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To Fight Climate Change, Heal the Ground – From the NY Times

California Today: To Fight Climate Change, Heal the Ground By:Mike McPhate The climate change fight has focused largely on cutting emissions. But California is now considering another solution: dirt. Whereas an overabundance of carbon in the air has been disrupting … Continue reading

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A Climate Change Solution Beneath Our Feet – from UC Davis

From UC Davis There’s too much carbon in the atmosphere and not enough in the ground where it’s useful. When we think of climate change solutions, what typically comes to mind is the transportation we use, the lights in our … Continue reading

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Video: Secretary Ross joins celebration of the formation of the California Farm Demonstration Network – from UC ANR

The newly formed Farm Demonstration Network is designed to increase the adoption of improved-performance conservation agriculture systems in California. Founding signatories, including CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, gathered on May 5 to launch the network with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): the … Continue reading

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Soil Health Institute releases action plan – from Agri Pulse

By Steve Davies, Agri Pulse Farmers and ranchers need better tools to measure and understand the value of soil health, the Soil Health Institute said in a sweeping action plan released recently. “Enriching Soil, Enhancing Life” lays out a series … Continue reading

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California and Israel to co-host forum on Water and Agriculture Policy – May 25th in Sacramento

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will co-host a joint forum on shared issues related to water and agriculture. The forum will bring together Israeli and Californian government officials … Continue reading

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California and Australia – a continuing partnership

Our visit to Australia was another step in furthering California’s commitment on climate smart agriculture. The trip not only allowed us the opportunity to meet with government officials and academia, but also to see on-farm adaptations related to water management … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Smart Agriculture, Healthy soils, Specialty Crops | 1 Comment

Moving the Needle on Nitrogen Fertilizer Management in California Agriculture

California Department of Food and Agriculture invests in crop-specific research, training for farmers and crop advisors, and development of best practices for nitrogen use. By Karen Ross, CDFA Secretary As young students we are taught that water, sunshine, seed and soil … Continue reading

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Video: Earth Day @ CDFA

Happy Earth Day from CDFA! This video provides a brief look at just a few of the programs and projects at the California Department of Food and Agriculture that help farmers protect the environment. From healthy soils and dairy digesters to alternative … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Environment, Fertilizer, Healthy soils, Hydrogen, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Measurement Standards | Tagged | 1 Comment

USDA video campaign on soil health

Link to more USDA public service announcements on soil health Link to USDA “Unlock the Secrets in the Soil” page

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