Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Climate Change


California Climate Investments – CDFA part of $1.4 billion program in 2018

A new report details how cap-and-trade investments are reducing climate-changing emissions while pumping money into local economies and improving public health and the environment across the state — especially in disadvantaged and low-income communities. Nearly $1.4 billion in new funding last year … Continue reading

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Climate change: Bug-covered ‘bionic mushroom’ generates clean energy – from BBC News

By Matt McGrath, BBC US researchers have successfully tested the rather whacky idea of producing electricity from a mushroom covered in bacteria. The scientists used 3D printing to attach clusters of energy-producing bugs to the cap of a button mushroom. … Continue reading

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California launches first dairy digester pipeline cluster

California is proud to announce the state’s first dairy digester pipeline cluster. CDFA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt was on-hand this week for the launch of Calgren Renewable Fuels’ new facility, which partners with local dairies in the Pixley, California area. Eleven digesters, 22 … Continue reading

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Denmark inspires US delegation with biogas energy innovation

By Geetika Joshi, PhD I was honored to represent CDFA last week in Denmark as part of a US delegation sent to learn about he use of biogas as a renewable energy source. I joined a contingent of 14 people from all … Continue reading

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Meet the newest recruits in California’s war on climate change: carbon farmers – from CALmatters

By Alistair Bland / CALmatters Loren Poncia’s idling pickup shudders in a powerful gust of afternoon wind in western Marin County. Inside the warm cab, he scans the sun-browned hills through his binoculars, counting his grazing cows. Poncia raises beef cattle. … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross, Senator Lara help unveil revamped digester facility at Open Sky Ranch Dairy

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Secretary Ross on “Imagine If” podcast discussing climate change with young Northern California rancher

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross recently traveled to the Willows area in Northern California to participate in the “Imagine If” podcast, presented by the North American Association for Environmental Education and National Geographic. Secretary Ross met with 17-year-old Bailey Morrell at her parents’ ranch. … Continue reading

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Video: Lessons & Leadership at the “Scaling Up Climate Smart Agriculture” Event

A look back at the “Scaling Up Climate Smart Agriculture” event hosted by CDFA in Sonoma County Sept. 11-12, held in conjunction with the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco Sept. 12-14. The Global Climate Action Summit brought leaders and … Continue reading

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Scaling Up Climate Smart Agriculture: a “California Conversation” brings leaders, innovators together

The Global Climate Action Summit is September 12-14 in San Francisco. The affiliated Scaling Up Climate Smart Agriculture Event in Sonoma County is connecting climate stakeholders including farmers and ranchers, multinational corporations, foreign governments and non-governmental organizations to further the role of agriculture in climate … Continue reading

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Climate Smart Agriculture and California’s Healthy Soils Initiative

The discussions underway at the Scaling-up Climate Smart Agriculture and Global Climate Action Summit events this week include the critical importance of healthy soils. California’s Healthy Soils Initiative is a collaboration of state agencies and departments, led by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, … Continue reading

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